Charleston Race Week 2011

[MLovett]

Full Court Press Begins at Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week



CHARLESTON, SC (April 13, 2011) - As the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina begins its transformation from luxury resort to Race Headquarters for this weekend's massive sailboat regatta, organizers and volunteers of 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week are undergoing a transformation in their own focus. For nearly a year, they've concentrated on attracting the biggest field of competitive keelboats in the country to this famous South Carolina venue while gathering corporate support to make it all possible. Now that the first starting gun is less than two days away, their mission changes to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable event for all participants, while making sure that friends and families back home and sailing fans everywhere can follow the event as much as possible.

"We're extremely lucky to have garnered the interest of dozens of journalists and reporters for 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week from all over the world" said Logistics Manager Danny Havens. "From local newspapers to sailing publications in Australia and New Zealand, they're all doing a great job of telling their audience how much fun our event is, and we're truly grateful for their hard work."

Havens emphasizes that the event's own media team doesn't suddenly go on vacation when the regatta begins. "We've made an effort to deliver the public every piece of meaningful news we've had about Race Week over the past 10 months, and that doesn't stop now," he explained. Havens said the event website will feature daily race reports by 8:00 p.m. EDT, high quality photography from official photographer Meredith Block, and HD 'highlight reels' over the weekend, which will also be posted to Youtube and Facebook and reprinted in some 50 publications around the world. For the very latest information and multimedia links to Race Week content, fans should check out the event's Facebook site at www.facebook.com/CharlestonRaceWeek


OLD, NEW, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Fans of sailboat racing can get their Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week fix from the following publications, which will all feature reporters, videographers, or photographers on site for the event: (If we miss your publication, please let us know immediately with an e-mail to dhavens@scmaritime.org. Whatever coverage your publication plans, we encourage you to register your media organization here).

http://www.charlestonraceweek.com/ne...ace-week-news/

[MLovett]

Wind Gods Smile as Charleston Readies For Record Regatta

FORECAST CALLS FOR PERFECT SAILING WEATHER AS 279-BOAT FLEET TAKES TO SEA


CHARLESTON, SC (April 14, 2011) - Springtime in Charleston is one of the more perfect seasons, and nature smiles especially fondly on Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week every year. Since 2005, the celebrated event has only experienced a single day lost to poor conditions - it's one of the best records of good sailing conditions of any event in North America. "It may seem like we've done a deal with the devil sometimes with the kind of perfect weather we get every year for this event," said professional sailor and resident Michael Miller, "but we're just grateful we get to live here all the time."

Over 2,000 sailors gathered at 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week's headquarters this afternoon at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina for the skipper's meeting and Mr. Miller's Tides & Currents seminar, their decidedly upbeat moods betraying their excitement to begin one of the most exciting sailboat racing events in America tomorrow morning. Their smiles were also due to the official North Sails/Sailing Weather Service forecast for the coming three days, promising strong breeze and a mix of conditions guaranteed to get the blood flowing and provide challenging racing for all of the 16 classes.

The forecast calls for "likely the best conditions of the race week," tomorrow. East-southeast winds are expected to build gradually from the high single digits to the mid-teens and the skies will remain clear. Saturday will see tougher conditions with stormy weather and winds in the low 20s - the breeze that tests sailors and gear. It will be a wet day with showers and the moderate threat of strong thunderstorms. Finally, Sunday should start breezy and end sunny and warm, with plenty of wind for sailing, but without the high drama of Saturday's stiff breeze.

Race Officials Prepare For Crowded Harbor

"I remember six years ago when we reached 70 boats on the inshore course," said Race Director Randy Draftz in his official skipper's briefing this afternoon. "Now we're almost at 200 and it's become known as some of the most fun racing anywhere." Draftz emphasized the importance of co-existing with the commercial traffic on the harbor. "If a ship blows five horns at you, the race committee will disqualify you," Draftz explained to the skippers in a serious tone. "You may know you'll cross ahead of them, but they might not even be able to see you when you are in front of their bow," he continued. Seconds later, an outgoing cargo ship emphasized his point as the ship's captain directed five blasts at a crossing sportfisherman near Castle Pinckney, as the crowd looked on with amusement.

Friendly Spirit Continues Despite Huge Crowds

Known for years as "The World's Friendliest Regatta," some long-time competitors weren't sure what to expect after missing a few years of Charleston Racing. "The last time we were here there were around 160 boats, so we weren't sure if being nearly double the size would make the event lose that amazing Charleston hospitality," said Detroit racer Paul Hulsey, who is competing in the Melges 24 Class. "We didn't need to worry though - we feel as welcome as ever, and now we get to race against almost 50 boats in our class."

Charleston resident Greg Fisher said for him, it's all about the community. The multiple world champion and former sail designer recently left the sailmaking industry to accept the position as Director of Sailing for the College Of Charleston. "The amazing thing about Charleston sailors is how they come together as a community for important events," Fisher said. "Hundreds of passionate sailors and their families get together to support Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, Charleston Community Sailing and the College, and it really feels like you're part of a big family when you're with them."

Full Days Of Racing Ahead

Sixteen different classes of boats will race up to 12 races over the next three days on five different race courses, three for inshore one-design sailboats and two for larger, offshore handicap racing yachts. Each race may last between 40 minutes and two hours, and winners will receive trophies, valuable prizes, and bragging rights. Classes at the event include boats up to 54 feet long, and the largest class is the Melges 24, which has 47 entries.

[MLovett]

Racers Have Best Tax Day Ever

SUN AND FLAWLESS RACING CONDITIONS KICK OFF 2011 EVENT WITH A BANG


CHARLESTON, SC (April 15, 2011) - While the rest of America was fretting about filing deadlines, Charleston Harbor gave sailors at 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week a tax day gift - nearly perfect weather for sailboat racing. "I don't think I've ever had a day with such perfect sailing weather," said Minnesota racer Sean Hendrickson, who sailed offshore aboard Denny Manrique's 40-foot Island Flyer. "We had tight racing with 15-18 knots out of the East - perfect wind, perfect waves, and warm sunshine all day." From Lake Minnetonka, Manrique sits in 2nd place in the "Heavy Displacement" class, one point behind Diana Sea, an Alerion 38 owned by local Bernie Cignavitch.

The brand new 36-foot J/111Velocity finished the day in fourth in a very competitive PHRF B Class. "This was the boat's first day of racing ever, and we're having a good time figuring her out," explained trimmer Dave Malkin of Annapolis. "We're definitely looking forward to even more breeze tomorrow." Kemah, TX J/122 owner Doug Shaffer leads the class with just four points in five races aboard Gambler.

In the Melges 24 Class - the largest group at this event with 47 boats - 2009 International Moth World Champion Bora Gulari started the day off with a strong lead, reminiscent of his performance as last year's event in Charleston where he won in this always large and hyper-competitive class. But something went wrong after scoring a 1,2 in the first two races. "The current had really started moving in the third race," explained Gulari, "and we got shut out trying to get to the top mark, losing a big part of the fleet." According to the Detroit native, "That's just Charleston, and we love these exciting short-course, big-fleet races." Gulari ended that race in 10th and came back to win the 4th race, though Tiburon-California-based Kristin Lane's consistency was too much for Gulari, and she leads both Gulari and Chicago skipper Brian Porter by five points.

Lane's racing team is a family affair, as her Brick House team also includes husband Peter at the helm of an identical Melges 24. "Kristin really enjoys these conditions, but it's probably my favorite regatta, too," said Peter enthusiastically after returning to the dock today. "These shorter courses with tides and sandbars and land features are just so much more interesting than 'classic' longer courses - we should race this length course for Worlds."

Forecasts call for even more wind tomorrow - up to 25 knots of colder Northwesterly breeze, with showers and possible thunderstorms later in the day. If Friday's conditions provided a chance for racers to knock the rust off, Saturday will undoubtedly separate the top teams from those who could use a bit more practice.

Racers will battle for up to four more races tomorrow on three inshore and two offshore courses, and racing concludes Sunday, when trophies for the overall champion of Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week - the historic Palmetto Cup and Charleston Cup - will be presented. Full results can be found here, the full scratch sheets are here, and you can check out photos, videos and more at www.charlestonraceweek.com.

J/24 (One Design - 25 Boats)
1. USA 5448, J 24 24, Mike Ingham , Rochester, NY, USA - 1, 3, 1, 2, ; 7
2. Street Legal, J 24 24, Chris Jankowski , Richmond, VA, USA - 3, 2, 2, 3, ; 10
3. Murder Incorporated/Team Layline, J/24 24, Chip Till, Wrightsville Beach, NC, USA - 2, 1, 4, 4, ; 11

J/22 (One Design - 16 Boats)
1. Solid Layer, J 22 22 , Chris Doyle , Kenmore, NY, USA - 1, 2, 1, 1, ; 5
2. USA 1586, J 22 22, Greg Fisher , Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 2, 1, 3, 3, ; 9
3. Leading Edge, J 22 22, Todd Hiller , Annapolis, MD, USA - 3, 3, 2, 6, ; 14

Vipers 640 (One Design - 25 Boats)
1. 3 Grins, Viper 640 21, Dave Nickerson / MoiseSolomon ,Noank, CT, USA - 2, 2, 6, 1, ; 11
2. Jackpot, Viper 640 21, Brad Boston / Lee Shuckerow , Point Edward, Ont, CAN - 4, 3, 2, 3, ; 12
3. Black Mamba, Viper 640 21, David Guggenheim , Savannah, GA, USA - 1, 4, 4, 9, ; 18

J/80 (One Design - 26 Boats)
1. Rascal, J 80 26, Henry Brauer / Will Welles , Marblehead, MA, USA - 3, 3, 1, 2, ; 9
2. Tiamo, J 80 26, Bruno Pasquinelli, Dallas, TX, USA - 1, 1, 4, 6, ; 12
3. USA 352, J 80 26, Kerry Klingler, Larchmont, NY, USA - 5, 2, 2, 3, ; 12

Ultimate 20 (One Design - 12 Boats)
1. Slippery, Ultimate 20 20, Jim Pearson , Wheatley, Ont, CAN - 1, 1, 2, 1, ; 5
2. Zulu, Ultimate 20 20, Peter Marriott / Bob McGrath , Charlotte, NC, USA - 2, 7, 3, 2, ; 14
3. Rumbullion, Ultimate 20 20, BJ Jones , Cornelius, NC, USA - 3, 2, 9, 4, ; 18

Melges 24 (One Design - 47 Boats)
1. Brick House 812, Melges 24 24, Kristen Lane , Tiburon, CA, USA - 2, 4, 3, 1, ; 10
2. New England Ropes / West Marine Rigging, Bora Gulari , Detroit, MI, USA - 1, 2, 10, 2, ; 15
3. Full Throttle, Brian Porter , Winnetka, IL, USA - 3, 6, 2, 4, ; 15

Melges 20 (One Design - 23 Boats)
1.Bacio, Audi Melges 20 Michael Kiss , Holland, MI, USA - 3, 1, 3, 1, ; 8
2. Elevation Racing, Audi Melges 20, Anthony Tabb , Chicago, IL, USA - 2, 6, 2, 2, ; 12
3. Red Sky, Audi Melges 20, Paul Reilly, Chicago, IL, USA - 1, 2, 6, 4, ; 13

PHRF A (PHRF - 8 Boats)
1. Dauntless, Beneteau First 47.7 48, Don Terwilliger , Charleston, SC, USA - 1, 1, 1, ; 3
2. Big Booty, Lutra 42 42, Patrick Eudy, Charleston, SC, USA - 3, 4, 2, ; 9
3. Galilée, Beneteau First 44.7 48 Jean-Pierre Turgeon, St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, QUE, CA - 4, 2, 3, ; 9

PHRF B (PHRF - 7 Boats)
1. Gambler, J/122 40, Doug Shafffer , Kemah, TX, USA - 1, 1, 2, ; 4
2. Teamwork, J/122 40, Robin Team , Lexington, NC, USA - 4, 2, 1, ; 7
3. Jubilee, A40RC 40, Cal & Libussa Huge , Summerville, SC, USA - 2, 3, 3, ; 8

PHRF C (PHRF - 14 Boats)
1. L'outrage, Beneteau 34 34'5, Bruce Gardner , Annapolis, MD, USA - 2, 1, 2, ; 5
2. Rock Star, C&C 115 37, Tim Tucker, Alachua, FL, USA - 3, 2, 1, ; 6
3. Tangent, Cape Fear 38 38, Gerald Taylor, Annapolis, MD, USA - 1, 3, 3, ; 7

PHRF E HDC1 (PHRF - 8 Boats)
1. Diana Sea, Alerion 38-2 38, Bernie Cignavitch , Charleston, SC, USA - 1, 1, 2, ; 4
2. Island Flyer, Wauquiez Centurion 40s 40, Denny Manrique , Tonka Bay, MN, USA - 2, 2, 1, ; 5
3. Old School, S2 9.1 30, Paul Jacques ,Charelston, SC, USA - 3, 3, 3, ; 9

Tartan 10 (One Design - 6 Boats)
1. Demon Rum, T-10 33, Mike / Beth Eckstein, Royal Oak, MI, USA - 2, 1, 2, ; 5
2. Wild Norwegian, T-10 33, ArvidEiesland, Glenview, IL, USA - 1, 2, 3, ; 6
3. Silver Surfer, T-10 33, Simon Beemsterboer, Mokena, IL, USA - 3, 5, 1, ; 9

PHRF S Sport Boat (PHRF - 6 Boats)
1. Rhumb Punch, Farr 30 30, John and Linda Edwards, California, MD, USA - 1, 3, 1, ; 5
2. Rented Mule, Viper 830 28', Bryan Taylor , Allen, TX, USA - 7/DNF, 1, 2, ; 10
3. Different Drummer, Azzurs 310 31, John Gaag, N. Charleston, SC, USA - 5, 2, 4, ; 11

PHRF D (PHRF - 10 Boats)
1. For Sail, J/29 MH OB 29, Jim Mackevich , Edison, NJ, USA - 4, 2, 1, ; 7
2. Mighty Puffin, J/29 MH OB 29, Steve Thurston , Bristol, RI, USA - 2, 1, 5, ; 8
3. A Parent Tripp, Tripp 26 26, Brett Harrison / John Yeigh , Annapolis, MD, USA - 1, 3, 4, ; 8

PHRF F HDC2 (PHRF - 8 Boats)
1. Susimi, Sweeden 370 36.5, Michael Carrington , Lighthouse Point, FL, USA - 1, 1, 1, ; 3
2. Passion, Catalina 34 34, Brett Grover ,Jesup, GA, USA - 2, 2, 3, ; 7
3.Tohidu, Benneteau 423 42'3, Dale Cook ,Hanahan, SC, USA - 3, 4, 2, ; 9

PHRF G Non-Spinnaker (PHRF - 9 Boats)
1. Bliss, Alerion 38-2 38, Randolph Brooks, Cincinnati, OH, USA - 1, 1, 1, ; 3
2. Makani, Catalina 34 WK 34, Keith Gannett, Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 2, 2, 3, ; 7
3. Cheerio, Morgan 38-2 38.2, Charles Dickinson, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA - 3, 3, 4, ; 10

[MLovett]

Too Much Of A Good Thing at Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week?

EXTREME WEATHER WARNINGS KEEP MOST SAILORS ASHORE ON DAY TWO


CHARLESTON, SC (April 16, 2011) -While every sailor's first concern is having enough wind for exciting racing, today Mother Nature served up a helping of southerly breeze that for the majority of sailors was too hefty to handle. Certainly, the race committee saw it that way and canceled competition for all of the sailors in this 270-boat fleet.

"With forecasts of winds into the 30s by early afternoon, we made the tough decision to abandon racing this morning at 8:30 a.m.," said Randy Draftz, Race Director for 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week. While a few hardcore sailors grumbled at the loss of a day's racing, the vast majority appreciated the race committee's prudence. "Most of the teams here don't get to race in this much wind with these strong currents, and trying to get around the course on a day like today could really ruin the week for a lot of sailors," said San Francisco Olympic 49er hopeful Jonny Goldsberry, whose Brick House team leads the Melges 24 Class. "We love these conditions, but most of our team sails hundreds of days a year in this stuff, and we're totally comfortable in these winds. But we're probably not representative of the majority." Draftz, a long time racer himself, said that he "knows how important it is to get races in after traveling a long way, but not at the expense of the safety of all of our friends out there."

Goldsberry and a few other crews showed just what professional sailors can do in near-gale conditions., His team, along with six other Melges 24 sportboats (including the top three competitors in that class at the regatta), headed out around 11:00 for some makeshift racing. Fortunately for them, these are the kind of winds that are routine in Corpus Christi, TX, the location for next months Melges 24 World Championship. Following the Melges in the blustery conditions, an 8-boat cadre of photography, coach, and media boats had difficulty keeping up with the sailboats as they raced downwind from Fort Sumter to Mt. Pleasant. The boats' hulls crashed through the waves and left roostertails rising up out of the water as they flirted with speeds up to 21 knots of speed. "I haven't seen anything this exciting in ages," said renowned sailing photographer Billy Black. "What a great way to spend a morning."

Tomorrow's forecast calls for a much more manageable 5 to 10 knots of northerly wind. That's something that competitor Keith Magnussen of San Diego said he'll be happy to see. "The heavier boats had a real upwind advantage on us yesterday, but our boat, Rented Mule (a Viper 830), just flies in the light air."

Most of the teams were quick to re-plan their days after the racing was cancelled. "I think a few dozen Detroit-based sailors were headed to a nearby sports bar to watch the Redwings NHL game," said Thac Nguyen, of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Others were off to enjoy go cart racing at a nearby amusement park, go shopping on Charleston's famed King Street, or try their hand at bowling. "There's certainly no lack of things to do on a Saturday in Charleston," said another Detroiter, Karl Kuspa.

The mood around the regatta headquarters at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina remained light and positive, especially among the two dozen sailors who braved the conditions for some white-knuckle practice rides. Multiple J/24 World Champion Anthony Kotoun of Newport, RI was one of them, and the Virgin Islands native who has sailed the past four Charleston Race Weeks, shared his thoughts on Charleston Race Week: "I just love this regatta," he said. When pressed on why, he mentioned the parallels with Caribbean regattas. "I just came back from sailing in St. Thomas at the Rolex Regatta, the BVI at the Spring Regatta and St. Maarten for the Heineken event, and Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week is the only event in the country that's got a flavor like those." Kotoun cited "great breezes, beautiful surroundings, and the regatta village here on the beach that's really something you don't see anywhere but the Caribbean."

Koutoun also praised the variety of conditions that Charleston Harbor presents due to the changing tides and the harbor's singular geography. "Yesterday, we had an ebb in the morning and all the guys in our fleet had to figure out that left was the way to go, but in the afternoon, we all needed to change our strategy and sail as close to the beach as we could. That just keeps it interesting from a tactical perspective."

Racing will resume tomorrow, with inshore racing moved up to a 10:30 a.m. start to guarantee the maximum number of races run on the final day of 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week. Those sailors racing offshore will begin sailing at 10:00 a.m. as before.

[MLovett]

Light Air And Sunshine Put Finishing Touch On Race Week

OFFSHORE SEES BEST CONDITIONS, LATE-ARRIVING SEA BREEZE ALLOWS FINAL RACE INSHORE


CHARLESTON, SC (April 17, 2011) - An earlier start time for the final day of 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week saw frantic preparations across the Charleston Harbor Marina this morning. Many of the nearly 250 teams removed non-essential equipment, heaving away as they pulled piles of extra sails and gear off their boats to lighten their loads for the expected forecast of just 5-10 knots of wind. The offshore courses saw sufficient sailing breeze through most of the day, with the first race run under very light northerly conditions and the final race in a moderate Charleston sea breeze of 10 knots.

"We had the heavy stuff on Friday, and the light and shifty stuff today, and we loved the challenge of figuring out all the conditions, said Mark Thomas, a North Carolina native sailing on Diana Sea, Bernie Cignavitch's Alerion 38 that squeaked out a one-point victory over Minnesota sailor Denny Manrique's Centurion 40 Island Flyer in the PHRF heavy displacement class. "We may have lost by a point, but we had a great time and we'll certainly be back," said Manrique.

The biggest boats at the event had an exciting, three-way battle for their class championship, with Don Terwilliger's Beneteau 47.7 Dauntless starting the day with a commanding lead due to three first-place finishes on Friday. "We needed to finish fifth in the last race today to secure first in class, but it turned out to be a tough nut to crack," said tactician Brad Taylor. Terwilliger and his crew won Class A at this event last year, but Dauntless enjoys the stronger wind, and Taylor watched their lead disappear on the final race. "About 100 yards from the finish, the two J/130s were behind us, and when they jibed for the line, their hotter angle pushed them over the line ahead of us." That final move cost Dauntless the win in this class to Patrick Eudy's Lutra 42 Big Booty. "If we have to lose to a boat, we don't mind losing to those guys - they're good guys, great sailors, and we're all friends," Taylor said.

Inshore, conditions were more fickle and no races were completed on the J/24 and J/22 race course, with only one completed on the Viper 640, J/80, and Ultimate 20 course. The big fleet of Melges sailboats on Course 2 saw their first race abandoned, and though it looked like there'd be no racing for these sporty boats as they lolled on the calm waters for two hours, Charleston's sea breeze saved the day, appearing out of nowhere just minutes before the race deadline of 2:00 p.m.

Among the 47-strong Melges 24 Class, Tiburon, CA skipper Kristen Lane set something of a milestone in the biggest fleet of the regatta. Lane is the first female skipper to win a major, big fleet event in this class for as long as anyone can remember. "I've gained a lot of confidence over the past couple of years in this fleet," said Lane. "My crew is always amazing, and together we really work hard to race fast while having a good time. I think that's the key to our success." Lane professed that Charleston is her "favorite regatta," adding "you just can't beat this venue."

Former North American and National J/24 Champion Mike Ingham was disappointed that his class didn't see enough wind for a final race today, though he was happy to take the victory in the most competitive J/24 fleet that Charleston has seen in several years. "We last sailed here for our National Championship about six years ago, and it's just as great as I remembered," said Mike. "On Friday, we got four solid races in, and just kept our noses clean and tried to sail smart. It worked."

In the Melges 20 Class, Roland Van Der Meer of Menlo Park, CA, took a different tack than most to get to Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week. "These guys are good friends," he said indicating his crew - Phillip Barow and Peter Koar of Barnegat Bay, NJ., and I really enjoy sailing with them. We talked this winter and decided to do something awesome this spring on the water," he said. "We saw all the videos and asked around, and decided to charter a Melges 20 for Charleston." Van Der Meer is normally a J/105 and Shields sailor back home, while Barow and Koar sail E-Scows. "I'd come back to this event in a heart beat, said Van Der Meer. "There's really no other place in the U.S. quite like Charleston and few events like this."

For video highlights from practice and the first day of racing in HD, please go to Charleston Race Week's YouTube Channel. Final results are available here.

SAVE THE DATE - 2012 CHARLESTON RACE WEEK DATES SET

Organizers didn't waste any time setting the dates for 2012 Charleston Race Week, and the ideal tidal conditions - those that give a push to the offshore sailors as they head out and return from racing - will occur between April 19th and 22nd, 2012. As popular as Charleston Race Week has become, organizers encourage all teams to register early to avoid entry caps or late fees, and to keep an eye on the event website, Twitter feed, or Facebook page for more information.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT FROM 2011 SPERRY TOP-SIDER CHARLESTON RACE WEEK

The South Carolina Maritime Foundation's media team will release the official HD highlight clip from the final day of racing on its YouTube channel on Monday, and staff will continue to highlight some of the great coverage of 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week as it appears in the local, national, and international media. Race Week organizers encourage all fans of sailboat racing to stay up to date via any of the event's social media channels or website.

CHARLESTON CUP AND PERPETUAL CUP TROPHIES

The Palmetto Cup, which is awarded each year to the best boat competing in the PHRF (handicap rating) classes, went to Steve Thurston and his crew from Bristol, Rhode Island. They raced aboard Mighty Puffin, a J/29. The Charleston Race Week Trophy, which is awarded annually to the skipper who wins in the most competitive one-design class was presented to Brad Boston and his Viper 640 crew from Point Edward, Ontario, Canada. Both skippers and their crew won a slew of prizes, including gift certificates for Sperry Top-Sider shoes for all of their crew.

TOP 3 RESULTS BY CLASS

J/24 (One Design - 25 Boats)
1. USA 5448, J 24 24, Mike Ingham , Rochester, NY, USA - 1, 3, 1, 2, ; 7
2. Street Legal, J 24 24, Chris Jankowski , Richmond, VA, USA - 3, 2, 2, 3, ; 10
3. Vanishing Act, J 24 24, John Surguy , Marlboro, NJ, USA - 4, 4, 3, 1, ; 12


J/22 (One Design - 16 Boats)
1. Solid Layer, J 22 22 , Chris Doyle , Kenmore, NY, USA - 1, 2, 1, 1, ; 5
2. USA 1586, J 22 22, Greg Fisher , Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 2, 1, 3, 3, ; 9
3. Leading Edge, J 22 22, Todd Hiller , Annapolis, MD, USA - 3, 3, 2, 6, ; 14


Vipers 640 (One Design - 25 Boats)
1. Jackpot, Viper 640 21, Brad Boston / Lee Shuckerow , Point Edward, Ont, CAN - 4, 3, 2, 3, 4, ; 16
2. 3 Grins, Viper 640 21, Dave Nickerson / MoiseSolomon ,Noank, CT, USA - 2, 2, 6, 1, 9, ; 20
3. Black Mamba, Viper 640 21, David Guggenheim , Savannah, GA, USA - 1, 4, 4, 9, 3, ; 21


J/80 (One Design - 26 Boats)
1. USA 352, J 80 26, Kerry Klingler , Larchmont, NY, USA - 5, 2, 2, 3, 3, ; 15
2. Rascal, J 80 26, Henry Brauer / Will Welles , Marblehead, MA, USA - 3, 3, 1, 2, 9/TLE, ; 18
3.Tiamo, J 80 26, Bruno Pasquinelli , Dallas, TX, USA - 1, 1, 4, 6, 9/TLE, ; 21


Ultimate 20 (One Design - 12 Boats)
1. Slippery, Ultimate 20 20, Jim Pearson , Wheatley, Ont, CAN - 1, 1, 2, 1, 4, ; 9
2.Rumbullion, Ultimate 20 20, BJ Jones , Cornelius, NC, USA - 3, 2, 9, 4, 1, ; 19
3. Zulu, Ultimate 20 20, Peter Marriott / Bob McGrath , Charlotte, NC, USA - 2, 7, 3, 2, 5, ; 19


Melges 24 (One Design - 47 Boats)
1. Brick House 812, Melges 24 24, Kristen Lane , Tiburon, CA, USA - 2, 4, 3, 2, 4, ; 15
2. New England Ropes/West Marine Rigging, Melges 24 24, Bora Gulari , Detroit, MI, USA - 1, 2, 10, 1, 13, ; 27
3. WTF, Melges 24 24, Alan Field , Los Angeles, CA, USA - 6, 1, 7, 16, 1, ; 31


Melges 20 (One Design - 23 Boats)
1.Bacio, Audi Melges 20 20, Michael Kiss , Holland, MI, USA - 3, 1, 3, 1, 3, ; 11
2. Elevation Racing, Audi Melges 20 20, Anthony Tabb , Chicago, IL, USA - 2, 6, 2, 2, 7, ; 19
3. Red Sky, Audi Melges 20 20, Paul Reilly , Chicago, IL, USA - 1, 2, 6, 4, 8, ; 21


PHRF A (PHRF - 8 Boats)
1. Big Booty, Lutra 42 42, Patrick Eudy , Charleston, SC, USA - 3, 4, 2, 1, 1, ; 11
2. Dauntless, Beneteau First 47.7 48, Don Terwilliger , Charleston, SC, USA - 1, 1, 1, 3, 6, ; 12
3. Wicked, J 124 40.7, Douglas Curtiss , Branford, CT, USA - 2, 3, 4, 2, 2, ; 13


PHRF B (PHRF - 7 Boats)
1. Gambler, J 122 40, Doug Shafffer , Kemah, TX, USA - 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, ; 6
2. Velocity, J 111 36, Wayne Jackson , Columbia, MD, USA - 3, 4, 4, 2, 2, ; 15
3. Teamwork, J 122 40, Robin Team , Lexington, NC, USA - 4, 2, 1, 7, 3, ; 17


PHRF C (PHRF - 14 Boats)
1. Rock Star, C&C 115 37, Tim Tucker , Alachua, FL, USA - 3, 2, 1, 8, 2, ; 16
2. Tangent, Cape Fear 38 38, Gerald Taylor , Annapolis, MD, USA - 1, 3, 3, 5, 4, ; 16
3.L'outrage, Beneteau 34 34'5, Bruce Gardner , Annapolis, MD, USA - 2, 1, 2, 4, 8, ; 17


PHRF E HDC1 (PHRF - 8 Boats)
1. Diana Sea, Alerion 38-2 38, Bernie Cignavitch , Charleston, SC, USA - 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, ; 7
2. Island Flyer, Wauquiez Centurion 40s 40, Denny Manrique , Tonka Bay, MN, USA - 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, ; 8
3. Old School, S2 9.1 30, Paul Jacques ,Charelston, SC, USA - 3, 3, 3, 8, 5, ; 22


Tartan 10 (One Design - 6 Boats)
1. Demon Rum, T-10 33, Mike / Beth Eckstein , Royal Oak, MI, USA - 2, 1, 2, 4, 1, ; 10
2. Wild Norwegian, T-10 33, ArvidEiesland , Glenview, IL, USA - 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, ; 12
3. Silver Surfer, T-10 33, Simon Beemsterboer , Mokena, IL, USA - 3, 5, 1, 1, 4, ; 14


PHRF S Sport Boat (PHRF - 6 Boats)
1.Rhumb Punch, Farr 30 30, John and Linda Edwards , California, MD, USA - 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, ; 5
2. Wave Bye, Melges 30 31.10, Michael MaCleod , Flowery Branch, GA, USA - 3, 3, 3, 5, 2, ; 16
3.Wairere, Thompson 30 31.25', Pete Hunter , Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA - 2, 2, 7/DNS, 2, 5, ; 18


PHRF D (PHRF - 10 Boats)
1. Mighty Puffin, J 29 MH OB 29, Steve Thurston , Bristol, RI, USA - 2, 1, 5, 4, 1, ; 13
2. A Parent Tripp, Tripp 26 26, Brett Harrison / John Yeigh , Annapolis, MD, USA - 1, 3, 4, 3, 3, ; 14
3.Amigos , J 92 30 , David Pritchard , Buford, GA, USA - 7, 4, 3, 1, 2, ; 17


PHRF F HDC2 (PHRF - 8 Boats)
1.Susimi, Sweeden 370 36.5, Michael Carrington , Lighthouse Point, FL, USA - 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, ; 5
2. Passion, Catalina 34 34, Brett Grover ,Jesup, GA, USA - 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, ; 12
3. Mistress, S2 7.9 IB 26, Bryan coon , Hicksville, NY, USA - 4, 3, 4, 3, 2, ; 16


PHRF G Non-Spinnaker (PHRF - 9 Boats)
1. Bliss, Alerion 38-2 38, Randolph Brooks , Cincinnati, OH, USA - 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, ; 5
2.Makani, Catalina 34 WK 34, Keith Gannett , Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 2, 2, 3, 2, 4, ; 13
3. Suwannee, Stevens 50 50, Donald Michael , Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 4, 5, 2, 3, 2, ; 16