The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta in Chicago captured the essence of competitive amateur sailing, featuring the impressive Melges 32 team of Jeremy Alexis and Jocelyn Saxon’s Fleetwood. On the waters of Lake Michigan and against the Chicago skyline, this team displayed its new chemistry and drive to perfection.
Their crew composition is diverse and tight-knit, with Jeremy introducing their weekend lineup: “We had Patrick Norris, Abby Brown, Jonathan Goldsberry, Benny Allen, Emery Williams and Josh Putnam.” The team’s approach is characterized by a quiet efficiency, with Jeremy highlighting that “everybody knows their jobs. They just got their jobs done, and everything was very smooth.”
As the speed machine in its nine-boat PHRF Spinnaker division (rating band), managing the fleet wasn’t so easy Saxon says: “We’re a really fast boat [PHRF 21], and it’s really hard to gauge where we are. It’s not one-design racing, which we’re used to.” This uncertainty added an extra layer of complexity to their fleet management.
Their boat handling in the weekend’s moderate winds was noteworthy. “We just really want to make sure we keep this crew together and continue to build the chemistry that we have,” Alexis says. This commitment to team development has been a key factor in their success.
The team’s performance was impressive, especially in lighter winds. “We do really well in light wind,” Saxon says. “Obviously, we’re a super light boat.”
While the team’s scoreline was perfect over eight races, the racing was closer than the scores would indicate Alexis says. “If we didn’t sail a perfect race, those C&C 115s were coming for us. They were knocking on the door the whole time. And that’s what kept us so focused.”
Looking forward, the team has ambitious plans. Alexis is hoping their win inspires others to consider the Melges 32 for PHRF racing. “They’re amazing boats.”
The team’s division win earned them a berth at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta’s Caribbean Championship in the BVIs in October. The win is a significant milestone for the team. The championship is “the most iconic thing that a non-pro sailor” could experience, Alexis says.
The team’s approach to sailing is a blend of technical skill, strategic thinking, and genuine enjoyment. Alexis says the team dynamic is what makes the Fleetwood squad what it is. The core team, Saxon says, “has come together really nicely. We all get along really well. Have a lot of fun.”
