2025 Melges 24 and Viper 640 Canadian National Championship
September 11, 2025
The South Port Sailing Club of St. Clair Beach Ontario, hosted two Canadian Championships, both on the same weekend, September 5 – 7, 2025. This was a challenge both on and off the water.
Many long-time racers call Lake St Clair “Lake St Stupid” because they say the weather is very unpredictable. Lake St Clair yet again lived up to its reputation. Racing was to start on the Friday, but the wind gods choose to over-extend themselves. Racing was cancelled because the breeze was over 20 knots…over the reasonable limits for these two classes. Saturday, as a result, became a busy day for both the race committee and the racers. Five races were run back-to- back.
There were 16 Melges 24s with 5 US boats coming to race from across the lake daily, from local US clubs. Justin Bean’s CAN371 “Bangarang” was the furthest travelled Canadian M24, coming from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Nine V640s raced, mostly Canadian boats with only one local US boat participating. Alain Molimard’s CAN075 “Aux4Vents” was the furthest travelled V640, coming from Club de Voile Deux-Montagne (CNDM).
Will Parkolab, sailing on the Viper 640, Gone Banana, who placed third overall, says: “Both fleets are stacked with talented sailors, making it an incredibly fun and challenging event to compete in.”
In the Melges 24 fleet, Dan Berezin, sailing Surprize CAN 629, from the Mimico Cruising Club in Toronto, is the 2025 Canadian Champion. Sailing with Dan were: Kimberly Cameron, Alex Kapustin, Misha Mavesky, and Dens Kalchenko.
In the Viper 640 fleet, Lee Shuckerow, sailing Jackpot CAN 326, of Windsor Yacht Club/Crecent Yacht Sailing Club (Detroit), is the 2025 Viper 640 Canadian Champion. Sailing with Lee were: Lisa Vigrass, and Eris Vigrass.
John Marentette, Race Chair and a top-notch team of volunteers and race officers to make sure all of the races went off without a hitch. The shore team did an amazing job of extending SPSC’s hospitality, which brought an awesome vibe to the event. The membership collectively volunteered to help make this event memorable. It was great to see the South Port Sailing Club open their doors to the sport boat culture.
2025 Melges 24 Overall Canadian Champions
- Dan Berezin CAN629 “Surprise“
- George Peet USA830 “Straightarrow“
- Jaime Torres USA829 “Smile and Wave“
2025 Melges 24 Corinthian Canadian Champions
- Dan Berezin CAN629 “Surprise“
- Thomas C. Ritter USA708 “Rustler“
- Robert Wigny CAN523 “Notorious“
2025 Viper 640 Canadian Champions
- Lee Shuckerow’s CAN326 “Jackpot”
- Brad Boston CAN292 “Northern Honey Badger”
- Marina Maffessanti USA247 “Gone Banana”
