KING & REINHARDT WIN MELGES 15 WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP IN 3-WAY TIEBREAK
Marina del Rey, CA (September 14, 2025) – California delivered a classic mix of breeze, chop, and sunshine for the 2025 Melges 15 West Coast Championship, hosted by California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey. With winds ranging from 6-14 knots and building Pacific waves, the 27-boat fleet was tested across a full slate of races packed with lead changes and tight finishes.
The championship title came down to an unprecedented three-way tie at 18 points, with Sunday’s final race serving as a nail-biting decider. After a dramatic comeback that saw them climb from seventh overall with three consecutive race wins, Karla Reinhardt and Robbie King (Alamitos Bay Yacht Club) emerged victorious. They were followed by Tim Clarke with daughters Morgan and Maddie (California Yacht Club) in second, and siblings Morgan and Emily Paxhia (St. Francis YC/Mission Bay YC) in third.
The weekend’s racing unfolded a mile off Venice Beach, with mountains and scenic beaches as the backdrop.
Day One brought a steadily building southwesterly breeze paired with rolling swells, conditions that tested even the most experienced crews.
Despite a shaky start in the opening race, the Paxhias found their lane on the left side of the course and turned it into a commanding win. The San Diego-based duo, more accustomed to the flat waters of Mission Bay, looked sharp in the bumpy Marina del Rey conditions as they secured the first bullet of the regatta. Local favorites and top female/couple team, Allie Blecher and Katie Moran (CalYC), put their local knowledge to good use to finish second.
Tim and Morgan Clarke put the pressure on the Paxhias to win Race Two, holding the San Diego contenders at bay.
The Clarkes went on to double down with another win in Race 3. Clarke and his team seized momentum, starting cleanly and playing the right side to perfection. They extended down the final run, with Rudi and Krak Arntson close behind in second.
Race 4 brought a fresh shift at 13-knots, which the father-son duo Pablo and Alfonso Aguilar (CYC Mexico) capitalized on brilliantly. Pablo and Alfonso secured their first victory of the weekend, showcasing the strength of the international contingent.
“It took us long enough to figure the conditions out, but it’s all about how you finish and who's first to the dock,” laughed Alfonso.
On Sunday, the race committee delivered three races in lighter conditions. With the title on the line, Reinhardt and King rose to the occasion, reeling in three straight wins. The results didn’t come easily, as the top five teams were locked in tight battles across the course, but the ABYC duo proved unstoppable when it mattered most.
The 2025 West Coast Championship marked a milestone for the Melges 15 Class with a record-breaking turnout for the region. Teams traveled from six states, with two teams traveling from Mexico, making it the most competitive and geographically diverse West Coast fleet to date.
With talent spread throughout the standings and multiple race winners across both days, the weekend showcased the depth, momentum, and growing reach of the Melges 15 Class. The energy in Marina del Rey sets the tone for even greater competition heading into 2026.