CHARLESTON, SC (April 19, 2012)
Marinas, docks, yacht clubs, and launch
ramps surrounding Charleston Harbor
are a hive of activity today as 250 sailboat racing teams rigged and readied their craft for the first day
of Sperry Top-Sider Race Week, which begins tomorrow. “We’re so glad
to be back here in Charleston for another year,” said Melges 24 skipper
Jens Wathne, from Loddefjord, Norway. “This is the ultimate sailing
destination, and we hope to keep coming back every year.”
Wathne’s Party Girl will sail in the ultra competitive Melges 24 fleet,
which has designated Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week as its
prestigious Gold Cup Regatta. “With the level of competition we see
every year in Charleston, it was only natural to make it our Gold Cup
for 2012,” said Class Secretary Cary Siegler, who will race on his
Melges 24 Rock Steady.
2012 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week will also serve as Class
Championships for the Tartan 10 and Viper 640 Classes.
Challenging Mix Of Conditions On Tap For Racers
Charleston's famous sea breeze might not pay a visit on Day One of
Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, with an offshore pressure trough
providing shifty and unpredictable air that is likely to stall the
thermal until afternoon. Saturday’s early forecast calls for more
typical wind patterns, with sea breeze filling in by noon, building to
the strong afternoon Southeasterly this town is so well known for.
Sunday is apt to brings the possibility of rain and a springtime
frontal breeze out of the North, the kind racers look forward to all
year long.
Industry Rallies To Support Event
Both the parking lot and race village of the Charleston Harbor Resort &
Marina are full with sailing industry businesses here to support the
event. “We’re happy to have the full trailer here to service just about
any rigging problem a racer has,” said Harken rigging specialist Neil
Harvey. “We’re also making all our tools available to the racers free
of charge if they want to make their own repairs – drill press, vice,
grinder, and a lot more – just look for the Harken trailer.” Support
is also available from West Marine, Lewmar, Gill, North Sails, Navtec,
Pierside Boatworks, and Newport Shipyard.
In addition, George Cannon’s Coral Reef Sailing Apparel is back again
to provide Gill technical apparel and racing accessories to the nearly
2,000 sailors who have descended on Charleston. “We’re especially
excited to be able to outfit the ladies in the fleet with some of our
great Charleston Race Week technical tops,” said Cannon. “Compared to
most regattas, Charleston has a very strong female contingent, and
we’re happy we can provide the right fit in all our clothing to both
men and women.”
Harken Chief Executive Bill Goggins is also in town, though not for
business. “I’m here to go racing and hang out with my friends,” said
the Wisconsin-based CEO of the world’s premier sailboat racing
equipment supplier. “There is no place I’d rather be right now,” he
said.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2012 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week brings the most packed
schedule of racing and shoreside activities ever to grace Charleston
Harbor. Here are some highlights:
Thursday, April 19^th:
5:00-6:00 P.M. Skippers’ Meeting
6:00-6:30 P.M. North Sails Strategy/Trim (Terrace)
6:00-9:00 P.M. Opening Beach Party
~ Burgers & Dogs, Open Gosling’s Rum and Beer Bar, Live music by Ben
Fagen & Friends. OPEN TO PUBLIC WITH ENTRY FEE
Friday, April 20^th:
8:00 P.M. – MEDIA CALL: Harbor start (offshore boats depart Patriot’s
Point Dock)
10:00 P.M. – Offshore Circles First Warning Signal
11:00 P.M.– Inshore Circles First Warning Signal
6:00 P.M. – Beach Party
~ Live music by 17 South, Lowcountry Feast, Open Goslings Rum and Beer
Bar, Post-race video and photo slideshows
Saturday, April 21^st:
8:00 P.M. – MEDIA CALL: Harbor start (offshore boats depart Patriot’s
Point Dock)
10:00 P.M.– Offshore Circles First Warning Signal
11:00 P.M.– Inshore Circles First Warning Signal
1:00 P.M.MEDIA CALL - America’s Cup Arrives, Presentation On Stage
(Free to public)
6:00 P.M.– Beach Party (public admitted with fee, open rum and beer
bar)
6:30 P.M.– America’s Cup Presentation (Free with party admission)
~ Music by Calvin Taylor, Open Gosling’s Rum and Beer Bar, Post-race
video and photo slideshows
Sunday, April 22^nd:
8:00 P.M. – MEDIA CALL - Harbor start (offshore boats depart)
10:00 P.M. – Offshore Circles First Warning Signal
11:00 P.M.– Inshore Circles First Warning Signal
2:00 P.M.– Beach Party
~ Race Week’s famous chili & fixins, open beer bar, post-race video and
photo slideshows
Photo Captions (ALL): Sailboat Racers Ready Their Boats For A
Record-Setting 2012 Sperry Top-Sider Race Week.
Photo Credits (ALL): Meredith Block/Charleston Race Week
Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week runs April 19 - April 22 and is
open to all monohull sailboats 20 to 80 feet in length. The event is
owned and managed by Charleston Ocean Racing Association and is
supported by its title sponsor, Sperry Top-Sider, as well as the
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Vineyard Vines, and Gosling’s Rum.
Additional sponsors include The Town of Mt. Pleasant, Gill, Coral Reef
Sailing Apparel, Newport Shipyard, North Sails, Marlow Ropes Ltd.,
South Carolina State Ports Authority, and Interlux/Awlgrip, along with
West Marine, Pierside Boatworks, College of Charleston Community
Sailing, Other Brother Entertainment, Orbis, Harken Yacht Equipment,
B&G Simrad, Azalea Moving and Storage, Photoboat.com, Charleston
Community Sailing, Sail Charleston, and Lewmar Navtec.
For updates about the event, or additional information, log on to the
regatta’s website www.charlestonraceweek.com or email
info@charlestonraceweek.com
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