Buddy Melges


Harry C. "Buddy" Melges Jr. is a competitive sailor. He has earned national and international championships in several classes in conventional sailing and ice-boating.

Early life

Born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Melges grew up on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, sailing the boats designed and manufactured by his father, Harry Melges Sr. Based in Zenda, Wisconsin, Melges Performance Sailboats is still in operation, and is now run by Buddy's son, Harry Melges III.

Sailing career

Melges is an Olympic gold and bronze medalist, a two-time Star world champion, a three-time 5.5 Meter world champion, a five-time E-Scow national champion, a seven-time skeeter ice boat world champion and a three-time Yachtsman of the Year. He helped Bill Koch steer his America3 to a successful defense of the America's Cup in 1992.
Melges was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of 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 lectures and teaches across the United States, and is a member of many yacht clubs. He has been characterized as the "Grand Master" of competitive yachting, and has been called "The Wizard of Zenda".