Harry C. "Buddy" Melges Jr. (January 26, 1930 – May 18, 2023) was an American competitive sailor.
He earned national and international championships in several classes in conventional sailing and ice-boating and is widely regarded as one of the top racing sailors of all time.
He helped Bill Koch steer his America3 to a successful defense of the America's Cup in 1992.
[4] Melges lectured and taught across the United States and was a member of many yacht clubs.
He was characterized as the "Grand Master" of competitive yachting and was called "The Wizard of Zenda".