Buddy Melges Racing Team
The Buddy Melges Racing Team promotes high end, competitive youth sailing at the local, regional, national and international levels.
In September of 2016, the Geneva Lake Sailing School launched the Buddy Melges Racing Team. Harnessing the history and legend of our patron, this Racing Team seeks to introduce young sailors to regional, national and international competitions in the Optimist and other high performance classes. BMRT offers the opportunity to continue sailing past the summer months. Once the Sailing School programs are over; we organize regular weekend practices all the way through Halloween and participate in major National and International events throughout the winter. We then resume training on Lake Geneva in early April to get ready for the qualified sailors to attend the USODA Team Trials and to set them on a path for success for the Summer Season.
Excellence in sailing requires a lot of time spent on the water. Extending the season beyond the traditional 10-week format allows our sailors to stay in the best form year-round and prepare to succeed at the ILYA level and beyond. In the past, our sailors have represented their Clubs at the US Optimist Team Trials, International Orange Bowl Regatta and as members of the US National Team at several prestigious International Regattas abroad. Additional time on the water, and practice with the Buddy Melges Racing Team has a proven track record of allowing our sailors to be top performers at ILYA regattas in both Optimists and X Boats.
On top of sailing skills, we are highly focused on conditioning and nutrition to help our sailors become better athletes and competitors. We also strive to develop our youth through building confidence and self-esteem, independent decision making and respect for others.
Excellence in sailing requires a lot of time spent on the water. Extending the season beyond the traditional 10-week format allows our sailors to stay in the best form year-round and prepare to succeed at the ILYA level and beyond. In the past, our sailors have represented their Clubs at the US Optimist Team Trials, International Orange Bowl Regatta and as members of the US National Team at several prestigious International Regattas abroad. Additional time on the water, and practice with the Buddy Melges Racing Team has a proven track record of allowing our sailors to be top performers at ILYA regattas in both Optimists and X Boats.
On top of sailing skills, we are highly focused on conditioning and nutrition to help our sailors become better athletes and competitors. We also strive to develop our youth through building confidence and self-esteem, independent decision making and respect for others.
Upcoming Schedule
Fall Practices and regattas
8/25-26 Practice 1/2
9/15-16 Practice 3/4
9/22-23 Practice 5/6
9/28-30 USODA Mid-West Championship, GLSS
10/6-7 Practice 7/8
10/13-14 Practice 9/10
10/20-21 Practice 11/12
10/27-28 Halloween Regatta, Lake Forest, IL
Winter Travel Schedule
2018
Naples Cup, Naples, FL CANCELLED
11/21-24 USODA Midwinters, New Orleans, LA
Regatta Coaching Signup,
Extended Practice Signup
11-30 - 12/2 Junior Olympic Festival, Jensen Beach, FL
12/26-30 Orange Bowl Regatta, Miami, FL
2019
2/8-10 Valentines Regatta, St. Pete, FL
3/1-3 Sunshine St Regatta, Jensen, FL
Spring 2019 Practices and Regattas
4/6-7 Practice 1/2
4/13-14 Practice 3/4
4/27-28 Practice 5/6
5/11-14 USODA Team Trails, TBD
5/18-19 X Boat Spring Clinic
Each day costs $80/day regardless of whether it's a Geneva Practice, regatta practice or event coaching. Practices can be booked individually (a la Carte) or you can purchase one of the packages below :
You can attend individual practices (single days or weekends) or participate in the entire program!
BMRT HEAD COACH MAREK VALASEK
The presence of our off-season Buddy Melges Racing Team, combined with the new building housing the Lake Geneva Yacht Club and Geneva Lake Sailing School, provided us the infrastructure necessary to attract top talent to lead our program. Marek Valasek joined us in January of 2017 with a resume and a coaching ability that we welcomed with enthusiasm.
Marek Valasek arrived at the Geneva Lake Sailing School having been a sailing director and professional coach for over fifteen years. In 2016, Marek’s high school team won the ISSA Mallory Trophy and placed 4th at the ISSA Baker Cup. Valasek coached the U.S. National Team at the Optimist World Championships (2015) and the Optimist Asian Championships (2016). He has consistently coached Optimist sailors to top finishes -2nd Place (2016 USODA Team Trials), 2nd Place (2011 USODA National Championships), 1st Place (2010 & 2011 USODA Team Trials).
An accomplished sailor, Marek won multiple national titles in Optimist, Laser and Finn classes and represented Slovakia in the at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Marek Valasek arrived at the Geneva Lake Sailing School having been a sailing director and professional coach for over fifteen years. In 2016, Marek’s high school team won the ISSA Mallory Trophy and placed 4th at the ISSA Baker Cup. Valasek coached the U.S. National Team at the Optimist World Championships (2015) and the Optimist Asian Championships (2016). He has consistently coached Optimist sailors to top finishes -2nd Place (2016 USODA Team Trials), 2nd Place (2011 USODA National Championships), 1st Place (2010 & 2011 USODA Team Trials).
An accomplished sailor, Marek won multiple national titles in Optimist, Laser and Finn classes and represented Slovakia in the at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.