Buddy Melges Obituary

Buddy Melges was an American competitive sailor.

Melges earned national and international championships in several classes in conventional sailing and ice boating. He was an Olympic gold and bronze medalist, a two-time star world champion, a three-time 5.5 Meter would champion a five-time E-Scow national champion and many other championship awards.

Melges helped Bill Koch steer his America to a successful defence of America’s Cup in 1995.

He was inducted into the America’s Cup of Hall Fame in 2001, and to the Inland Lake Yachting Association Hall of Fame in 2002. He was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Melges lectured and taught across the United States and was a member of many yacht clubs. He was characterised as the Grand Master of competitive yachting and was called “The Wizard of Zenda”.