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sailboat race charleston

Published on April 11th, 2021 | by Editor

Charleston Race Week (finally) gets 25th anniversary

Published on April 11th, 2021 by Editor -->

Charleston, SC (April 11, 2021) – It turns out you can safely and successfully conduct a grand prix sailboat racing regatta amidst a pandemic.

While major regattas around the world are still getting canceled because of coronavirus, Charleston Race Week elected to press forward with its 25th anniversary celebration. It came one year late since the 2020 edition was canceled due to the developing pandemic last April.

Mass vaccinations combined with a decrease in positive cases throughout most of the United States prompted longtime event director Randy Draftz to forge forward with a Charleston Race Week 2021.

Regatta management did so with an abundance of caution and numerous precautions were put into place to ensure the event was held in a safe and responsible manner. All participating sailors were encouraged to get tested before attending the regatta and that provision did lead to some positive tests that caused a few boats to pull out.

sailboat race charleston

Even though Charleston Race Week has a well-earned reputation as a party regatta, organizers made the tough but wise decision to cancel all social activities. For this year, the focus on April 9-11 was fully on producing top-notch racing, and on that front the regatta was a tremendous success.

Race committees on all four inside circles banged off two races in breezy conditions today to complete a busy series for all one-design fleets. Classes on Circle 1 (VX One), Circle 3 (J/88, J/105, ORC D) all reached 10 races, while those on Circle 2 (J/70, Melges 24) and Circle 4 (J/22, J/24, PHRF Inshore) finished with nine.

Offshore racing for the ORC A and B classes that sailed distance courses along with the PHRF (Spinnaker A and B, Non-Spinnaker) classes that did pursuit starts was also action-packed with all three days delivering solid conditions. “We appreciate all the hospitality down here. The race committee did a fantastic job and the regatta seemed to work even with COVID. It was refreshing to be able to get out and compete,” said John Leahy, skipper of the J/88 class winner Dutch.

Mount Pleasant resident Andy Guhl proved a popular winner of the Palmetto Cup, presented annually to winner of the closest class among handicap divisions. Guhl skippered Fogdog, a 1D35, to victory in ORC D by winning five races and placing second in three others.

Fogdog finished with 14 points, four fewer than runner-up Fearless – a Melges 32 co-owned by John Lucas and Marc Durlach. Interestingly, Guhl bought the 1D35 from Dr. Lucas, a Charleston resident, and they have become rivals on the local circuit.

“We had a great boat-to-boat battle with Fearless all three days and it was a lot of fun,” Guhl said. “We sailed aggressively on Friday and Saturday (April 9 and 10) but were a bit more conservative today. I give a lot of credit to my crew, which really worked hard and sailed well.”

Guhl is a transplant from Baltimore who has immersed himself in the Charleston sailboat racing scene. He served as commodore of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association last year after four years as rear commodore.

Of course, Guhl understands the significance of the Palmetto Cup and was stunned to have won it.

“I certainly didn’t expect this, but I sure am honored. We’re still digesting what just went down here,” Guhl said. “We’re very proud to represent Charleston area sailing and it’s just awesome for a local boat to win this prestigious trophy.”

Doug Clark pulled a sneak attack in coming from behind on the final day of racing to capture the VX One Class, which attracted 25 boats. The Mystic, Connecticut resident entered today in fourth place, seven points behind leader Chris Alexander.

Clark steered Angry Baboon to second place in Race 9 then got the gun in Race 10 to vault over three boats and win the regatta. Clark and Alexander both finished with 35 points with the former winning the tiebreaker based off more first-place results.

“We knew it would be tough to move up with only two races today, plus the top teams have not been making many mistakes,” Clark said. “I knew the points going into the last race, which was really important. I knew we needed to win in order to get the tiebreaker. We sailed well today, but I’d be lying if I said a little bit of luck didn’t come into play.”

This was the first Charleston Race Week for Clark, a longtime intercollegiate sailing coach who is normally in-season during the month of April. Now in his 16th season as head coach at Coast Guard Academy, Clark is a relative newcomer to the VX One class but served notice he was a top contender by winning the Sarasota Winter Series.

“We’re on a little bit of a roll, which is cool,” Clark said. “I had a great team for this regatta and they deserve all the credit.”

Rod Favela, who has been racing the VX One since inception of the class, worked the middle. Emmi Triplett, a member of the College of Charleston intercollegiate sailing team, handled the bow.

Clark was already driving north when he heard from Triplett that Angry Baboon had earned the Charleston Race Week Cup as one-design Boat of the Week.

It was a heartbreaking turn of events for Alexander and crew on Counterproductive, runner-up in VX One for the third straight edition of Charleston Race week.

“We rounded the last windward mark in second behind Doug and went out to the right, which was really the only option. We got passed by two boats and it cost us the regatta,” Alexander said. “It was a very skewed course, and at one point we had spinnakers being hoisted on an upwind leg. There were not a lot of passing lanes.”

Travis Weisleder is a 1997 graduate of College of Charleston and a member of the intercollegiate dinghy team while there. He considers Charleston his home racing area and has only missed this regatta five times in the past 25 years.

Weisleder and his talented team on Lucky Dog led wire-to-wire in winning Melges 24 class, largest of the regatta with 33 boats. Veteran professional Mark Mendelblatt was aboard as tactician, while John Bowden trimmed the headsails and Collin Leon handled the bow.

“Charleston Race Week is always one of the biggest events of the year for the class, and all the best U.S. boats were here this week. It was definitely a stacked fleet,” Weisleder said. “I’ve had the same core group together for the last five years and we’ve spent a lot of time over the last few years getting our boat speed dialed in.”

This was the fourth time Weisleder has topped Melges 24 class at Charleston Race Week. He praised the strategical work of Mendelblatt, who was conservative with his calls and made sure Lucky Dog reached the first windward mark in the top five.

“We were really fast upwind. That enables you to get out of bad spots pretty quickly,” said Weisleder, a Richmond, Virginia resident who does marketing for car dealerships. “It all came together this week.”

Bruno Pasquinelli vacationed in Charleston annually as a kid and has come to love sailing here as well. The Chicago native and now Dallas resident first came to Charleston Race Week in 2009 while racing a J/80. He’s had many podium placements without a win at this regatta.

That drought is over after Pasquinelli skippered Stampede to an impressive victory in J/70 class, which drew 29 entries. Brothers Charlie and Jonathan McKee played a big part in lifting Pasquinelli over the top as Stampede finished third or better in seven of nine races.

Stampede posted 24 point, a whopping 16 better than Joel Ronning and the Catapult crew.

“It feels good to finally win in Charleston. I’m really happy to check that box,” Pasquinelli said. “The crew work was absolutely tremendous. As an owner, it was amazing to see how it all came together.”

The McKee brothers are multi-time Olympians and teamed to capture bronze medals at the 1988 (470 class) and 2000 Olympics (49er class) games. Joe Morris, who represented the U.S. in 49er class at the 2016 Olympics, worked the bow.

“It was fantastic to get the McKee brothers, who are sailing legends,” Pasquinelli said. “We really have three tacticians aboard. It’s interesting to listen to them help each other out. The flow of information among them was really impressive.”

Leahey took the lead in J/88 with a strong day on the water yesterday and then held off Andy Graff and Exile today to earn easily his most notable victory since joining the class three years ago. He credited the coaching of Quantum pro Chris Werner and weather support from Matt Gallagher along with near-flawless crew work.

“Today was tough. Exile was super-fast and made up some points. We had to get a bullet in the last race, and we got it done,” said Leahey, who finished ninth in Race 9.

Leahey placed fifth in J/88 at Charleston Race Week 2019 and called the jump to first “a huge move.” He felt Dutch had outstanding upwind speed and cited excellent communication among the crew as a key factor.

“Once we started figuring out the currents better, I felt like we just had another gear upwind,” he said. “This fleet was so darn competitive with tight clusters at all the mark roundings. Almost all the boats were finishing at the same time.”

New Yorker Kirk Reynolds led the 18-boat J/24 class after all three days of racing despite stiff competition from Aidan Glackin and the Mental Floss team. Reynolds started the regatta with eight consecutive results of third or better (posting three straight bullets at one point) to total 17 points. Mental Floss finished first or second in six of nine races and wound up just two points behind.

“Kirk did a fantastic job and did not need to use drop until second race today, which is pretty impressive,” Glackin said. “Every time we thought we could pick up some points on Mental Floss, Kirk and his team kept coming back and passing boats. It was a really good battle, but they were just a bit more consistent.”

Ken Horne pulled off a rarity in J/105 class, counting all first place finishes in winning going away. The League City, Texas resident did not need to sail Final Final in Race 10, using that DNS as a discard in netting nine points – 16 less than the runner-up boat.

“It’s great to be back on the water racing in a major event. I think this regatta is going to be one of the biggest of 2021 and we were thrilled to be here to experience it,” Horne said. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather conditions, although the current was very challenging.”

Horne became a Charleston Race Week winner for the first time in three attempts in the J/105. After struggling at the class Midwinter Championship, he made some rig and tuning changes that improved Final Final’s boat speed.

Justin Damore was equally dominant in J/22 class, posting seven straight bullets between a fourth in the opening race and a second in the last. Four of the J/22 sloops were crewed by junior teams and the Mount Pleasant resident was pleased to assist with their development.

This marked the competitive sailing debut for Damore’s partner Oanh Dang, who was floater aboard Yem. Bryan Jerman trimmed the headsails while his daughter Ashley did the bow. Damore received a complimentary entry into Charleston Race Week as a thank you for making a significant donation to Charleston Community Sailing. The former North Sails pro was doing this regatta for the first time since 2016.

Teamwork, the J/122 campaigned by Robin Team, was among many programs that did not compete at all in 2020. Fortunately, Team is blessed with a veteran crew that was sharp despite the long layoff and performed impressively as Teamwork took top honors in ORC B.

Bruce Bingman, principal race officer for Course 5, was creative in using a scoring gate to produce two results for each race for the Pursuit Division. Teamwork wound up winning five of the six scoring points to finish with a low score of six points – three ahead of the J/121 Loki (Robert Christoph).

“It was a really, really competitive fleet with a tight rating band and we thoroughly enjoyed battling it out with all the other boats,” Team said. “We loved the format, and the fact Bruce Bingman gave us upwind, downwind and reaching legs. Some boats do better than others on certain points of sail, but with every race having a little bit of everything there was no advantage for anyone.”

Racing for the Pursuit Division was outstanding today with south-southeasterly winds averaging around 15 knots and topping out at 20. It was a reach out to Marker 16, which the fleet rounded to port, a downwind run followed by a gybe and a 3 ½-mile upwind beat to Marker 14. After completing the dogleg that featured two downwind jaunts, the fleet sailed back through the channel into the harbor for the finish.

“We got tremendous crew work, which is a credit to how long these guys have been together. We had not sailed for 20 months and picked up right where we left off,” Team said. “It was great to be back on the boat and great to be back in Charleston.”

Over on the Pursuit Division, Jon Desmond skippered Next to victory in Spinnaker A class with a score line of 2-1-1 in the lengthy distance races out into the Atlantic Ocean. Next has been sitting in the Caribbean ever since Desmond competed in the 2019 Heineken Regatta. It was shipped to Florida a month ago and the Massachusetts owner decided to enter Charleston Race Week after seeing the boat was in decent shape.

This was Desmond’s third time at Charleston Race Week after winning the Sportboat class four years ago with the Roger Martin 36.

“Saturday (April 10) was relatively light, and the boat is pretty fast in those conditions,” he said. “I was real happy we did well today with the heavy air and waves. We were able to do a good job of shifting gears the whole regatta.”

Most of Desmond’s crew hails from the greater Boston area and they were excited to enjoy the warmth and sunshine of Charleston.

“We had an absolute blast. It’s an unbelievable venue and we love the city,” he said. “It’s always a treat coming to Charleston.”

Racing was held April 9-11.

Event information – Race details – Results

Source: Bill Wagner

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Regional Sailboat Races in the USA

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Destinations , Sailing Races

Let’s set sail into the thrilling world of regional sailboat races! These competitions offer a unique and exciting twist on the traditional sailing experience.

Regional races center around sailboats vying for supremacy in specific corners of the world, be it a coastal paradise or a cluster of enchanting islands. These events serve as a rallying point for local racers, as sailors hailing from nearby towns and yacht clubs come together to showcase their skills. 

What’s particularly enticing about regional races is their inclusivity. Whether you’re piloting a nimble dinghy or commanding a majestic yacht, these races often welcome boats of all types and sailors of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned sea veteran or a novice setting sail for the first time, there’s a class tailored to your needs at most of these local sailing races.

It’s not all about the competition! Regional races transform into grand sailing events, where communities burst to life for multiple days of festivities while showcasing their local flavor. Sailors gather, forge new friendships, and revel in their shared passion for this incredible sport.

Moreover, these races often offer affordable entry fees, ensuring accessibility to aspiring racers of all backgrounds. Some races may be shorter and less arduous than epic ocean crossings, making them ideal for sailors looking to refine their skills. Regional sailboat races are all about honoring the sport of sailing and the remarkable community it nurtures.

sailboat race charleston

  • Website: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race
  • Description: The Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race is an offshore yacht race that takes participants from Marblehead, Massachusetts, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s a challenging long-distance race across the North Atlantic.
  • Website: Figawi Race Weekend
  • Description: Figawi Race Weekend is a popular sailing event that includes both a race and a weekend of festivities. It starts in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and ends on Nantucket Island.
  • Website: Block Island Race Week
  • Description: Block Island Race Week is a biennial event that takes place on Block Island, Rhode Island. It features a series of races over the course of a week and is known for its lively social scene.
  • Website: Vineyard Race
  • Description: The Vineyard Race is an offshore race that starts and finishes in Stamford, Connecticut, with a course that takes sailors around Martha’s Vineyard. It’s known for its scenic course and challenging conditions.
  • Website: Newport to Bermuda Race
  • Description: The Newport to Bermuda Race is a classic offshore race that starts in Newport, Rhode Island, and finishes in Bermuda. It’s one of the most prestigious ocean races on the East Coast.
  • Website: Ida Lewis Distance Race
  • Description: The Ida Lewis Distance Race is a coastal race that starts and finishes in Newport, Rhode Island. It offers a variety of courses, including offshore and overnight racing.
  • Website: Camden Classics Cup
  • Description: The Camden Classics Cup is a regatta held in Camden, Maine, that celebrates classic and vintage sailing yachts. It’s a showcase of timeless sailboat designs.
  • Website: Nantucket Race Week
  • Description: Nantucket Race Week is a week-long sailing event held on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. It includes a variety of racing classes and social activities, making it a family-friendly event.
  • Website: Boothbay Harbor Regatta
  • Description: The Boothbay Harbor Regatta is an annual regatta held in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It features a mix of sailboat racing, social events, and onshore activities.
  • Website: Annapolis to Newport Race
  • Description: The Annapolis to Newport Race is a classic offshore race that starts in Annapolis, Maryland, and finishes in Newport, Rhode Island. This classic race takes sailors between two of the USA’s sailing epicenters.
  • Website: Charleston Race Week
  • Description: Charleston Race Week is a premier sailing event held in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s one of the largest regattas in the United States, featuring a wide range of sailboat classes and competitive racing.
  • Website: Around Long Island Regatta
  • Description: The Around Long Island Regatta is an annual offshore race that circumnavigates Long Island, New York. It’s a challenging race known for its variety of conditions and scenic views along the course.
  • Website: Around Martha’s Vineyard Race
  • Description: The Around Martha’s Vineyard Race is a sailing race that circumnavigates Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. 
  • Website: Conanicut Yacht Club
  • Description: The Around Jamestown Island Race is organized by the Conanicut Yacht Club and takes place in the waters around Jamestown Island, near Newport, Rhode Island. It’s a local race with stunning views of the Newport area.
  • Website: Atlantic Cup
  • Description: The Atlantic Cup is a premier Class 40 offshore racing series held along the East Coast of the United States. It features multiple legs and attracts international competitors. The race promotes sustainability and ocean health.

sailboat race charleston

  • Website: Rolex Big Boat Series
  • Description: The Rolex Big Boat Series is a prestigious sailing event held in San Francisco, California. It’s known for attracting top sailors and a wide range of sailboat classes, making it a highlight of the West Coast racing calendar.
  • Website: Pacific Cup
  • Description: The Pacific Cup is a biennial offshore yacht race that takes participants from San Francisco, California to Kaneohe, Hawaii. It’s a challenging race known for its long-distance and unpredictable conditions.
  • Website: Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
  • Description: This is one of the largest international yacht races, starting from Newport Beach, California, and finishing in Ensenada, Mexico. It features a wide range of sailboat classes and attracts sailors from around the world.
  • Website: Baja Ha-Ha
  • Description: The Baja Ha-Ha is an annual cruisers’ rally that starts in San Diego, California, and ends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. While not a traditional race, it’s a popular event for sailors looking to cruise along the Baja California Peninsula.
  • Website: Swiftsure International Yacht Race
  • Description: The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is held in the waters off Victoria, British Columbia. It offers a variety of race courses, attracting both local and international sailors for a challenging competition.
  • Website: Round the County Race
  • Description: The Round the County Race is a sailing race that takes place in the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington State. It offers a picturesque and challenging course for sailors.
  • Website: Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race
  • Description: This race starts in Santa Barbara, California, and finishes in Redondo Beach, California. It’s a popular offshore race along the Southern California coastline.
  • Website: Southern Straits Yacht Race
  • Description: The Southern Straits Yacht Race is a challenging overnight race that begins and ends in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s known for its strategic and tactical sailing.
  • Website: Long Beach Race Week
  • Description: Long Beach Race Week is a multi-day regatta held in Long Beach, California. It features a variety of racing classes and attracts sailors of all levels.

sailboat race charleston

Gulf of Mexico

  • Website: Harvest Moon Regatta
  • Description: The Harvest Moon Regatta is a popular offshore sailing race that takes participants from Galveston, Texas, to Port Aransas, Texas. It typically takes place in October and is known for its festive atmosphere.
  • Website: New Orleans Yacht Club
  • Description: The Race to the Coast is a sailing race that starts in New Orleans, Louisiana, and finishes in Gulfport, Mississippi. It’s organized by the New Orleans Yacht Club.
  • Website: GBCA Performance Cup Series
  • Description: The GBCA Performance Cup Series is a series of sailboat races organized by the Galveston Bay Cruising Association (GBCA) in Galveston, Texas. It includes various races and regattas throughout the year.
  • Website: St. Petersburg Yacht Club
  • Description: The St. Petersburg to Havana Race is an offshore race that starts in St. Petersburg, Florida, and finishes in Havana, Cuba. It’s organized by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
  • Website: Clearwater Yacht Club
  • Description: The Clearwater to Key Largo Race is an offshore sailing race that starts in Clearwater, Florida, and finishes in Key Largo, Florida. It’s organized by the Clearwater Yacht Club.

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Party2014

Where to launch and haul? Each year we coordinate with area yacht clubs and boat yards to ensure that launching and hauling is available, accessible and economical for all trailerable entries. Remember, it’s always important to be informed well in advance regarding logistical concerns and the best source of information can be found via the “ Logistics” tab on this website .

Where to lay your head?  Begin your search on the Charleston Area Visitors’ and Convention Bureau website.

Need sail repair? If you blow out a kite or tear a seam in your mainsail, not to worry, we’ve got you covered. There are two sailmakers that operate in Charleston year-round. Evolution Sails will have a repair pickup location on site. Greg Fisher.

Need gear? Forgot your spray top? Need a new ratchet block? No worries. Several of our sponsors will be set up on site to assist with issues just like those. Team One Newport , a longtime Race Week sponsor, has all the wearables that you’ll need, and a number of equipment suppliers will be exhibiting and selling merchandise at the event, including B&G, New England Ropes and Bainbridge.

Where to park your vehicle?  The parking lot at USS Yorktown Patriots Point is available while at our event.

What about lunch? Harris Teeter, Whole Foods and Jimmy Johns are on Houston Northcut Blvd not far from Patriots Point.

Is the airport close by? The Charleston International Airport is just 20 minutes’ drive from our event headquarters. You can arrange an Uber, take a cab, or pick up a rental car all right there on site.

On the water

Local Knowledge: For most competitors at Race Week, tidal current is the biggest concern when it comes to local knowledge needs. Charleston Harbor’s tides can be fierce, particularly if you’re not accustomed to sailing in those kinds of conditions. To offer everyone a better handle on this aspect of racing, we partner with our friends at the College of Charleston Sailing Program to present a local knowledge briefing each year the day before competition begins. These sessions are given by College’s coaches who spend a good deal of time on the water in this area.           Courses and conditions: Race Week is held in the spring, a transitional time for the seabreeze phenomenon. Generally speaking, if there isn’t a substantial weather system affecting the area, a consistent southwesterly seabreeze can be counted on to materialize each day around noon. With exception of one offshore course for the larger entries, all the racecourses are set in the harbor, ordinarily in the South Passage, which is between James Island and Shutes Folly. This is a well protected body of water, yet you can still experience a chop of nearly two feet if the winds are strong, flowing opposite the tidal current and coming out of the east or northeast. Though there are a number of shallow mud flats near the surrounding shoreline, the harbor’s only true hazard is Middle Ground, a pile of rocks located just a quarter mile south-southeast from Shutes Folly. This feature can come into play for those boats racing on Circle 2. Safety and support   It’s important for you to know that we put a big emphasis on safety. We collaborate closely with the Charleston Harbor Pilots Association to ensure that all competitors are made aware of any commercial traffic that’s apt to be in the area during racing. (Charleston is the fourth busiest port on the East Coast, and shipping traffic here is active.) In addition, the we’ve established a strong partnership with Roper St. Francis Healthcare to ensure that we always have several teams of paramedics on hand. These emergency personnel are standing by throughout all the on-the-water hours of the event.

Charleston's Many Attractions

There’s a reason that Charleston is the No. 1 tourist destination in the country; several reasons in fact. And if you come to Race Week, you don’t want to leave without sampling some of the city’s highlights.

Historic Charleston   Downtown Charleston is rife with historic homes and buildings. It’s also home to 65 public parks. Even if you only walk around for 30 minutes, you’ll be charmed by the quaint abodes and impressive mansions that dot the peninsula. A good way to see historic Charleston is to rent a bicycle or take a carriage tour. And, you don’t even have to get in your car because the Charleston Water Taxi runs from the marina adjacent Race Week’s headquarters, right across the harbor to the city.

Restaurant mania   You may already know that Charleston is a foodie’s paradise. The restaurant scene here rivals that of most major cities in the U.S. According to the Washington Post , “ Eating well is almost a birthright here in the Lowcountry.” Take the time to look around and you’ll discover high-end restaurants, outdoor cafes, fresh-from-the-dock seafood, and more accomplished chefs than a Cordon Bleu conference.

Golf galore The great thing about golf is that it doesn’t conflict with sailboat racing. You can’t play golf when it’s windy (well, you can’t play well) and you can’t sail when there’s no wind. So, if there’s a lay day, or you extend your trip to Charleston by a day, there’s plenty of golf to check out. In fact there’s a course right next door to the regatta headquarters site. So bring your clubs.

Lay day activities   And if the wind gods do decide to take a powder one day, there are lots of alternative activities to keep you busy. Only a half mile from the regatta headquarters, there’s a multiplex theatre with movie showings beginning as early as 11:00 a.m. Or if something more active is your preference, sample some go cart racing just a few miles out Highway 17 at Blackbeard’s Cove Family Fun Park. You can also rent kayaks or standup paddleboards at one of three nearby outfitters on Shem Creek. 

So, if you’re coming to Charleston Race Week for the first time, take a few moments to get the lay of the land by checking out some of these options online.

A version of this article was first published in Windcheck magazine.

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  • What It’s Like to Watch an America’s Cup Race Right From the Water

We enjoyed a bucket-list day watching AC75 raceboats in Barcelona, courtesy of a charter sailboat loaded with gourmet food and Dom Pérignon.

Chrissie mcclatchie, chrissie mcclatchie's most recent stories.

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AC37 America's Cup Racing Barcelona

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Taihoro , which will be defending the America’s Cup for New Zealand, is a vessel of singular beauty: The sails are 87 feet high, it has a sci-fi-looking carbon-fiber hull, with slots where the sailors sit low during high-speed racing, and spindly, insect-looking foils that emerge as it maneuvers down the racecourse.

America's Cup AC75 Racing Barcelona

To watch these futuristic, technological marvels at home is one thing. But seeing them in real life makes me realize why America’s Cup is called F1 of the Seas. These racers—and the hydrogen-powered chase boats that shadow them—are unlike anything on the water, and we’ll get to spend a day watching them race, while enjoying Michelin-caliber meals, Champagne, and craft cocktails, courtesy of the Barcelona-based boutique hotel Almanac.

“You could watch from the beach, but here you have the opportunity to be in the thick of the action,” says the sailboat’s captain, David Mocholi, voicing my thoughts. It’s a blue-sky afternoon on the Mediterranean Sea, with temperatures of 81 degrees and winds between 8 to 10 knots. Perfect racing conditions. Even from the water, I can make out the crowds at the Fanzone Plaça del Mar looking out towards us. Onboard, there’s just 10 of us, with a fully stocked bar and a steady flow of haute cuisine.

Almanac AC75 Charter America's Cup

As Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and NYYC American Magic jockey for position at the start of the first race, an excited buzz sweeps across the spectator boats. You can feel the electric anticipation in the air. Some of the bigger sightseeing boats are standing room only, with fans crowding the best vantage points. Other vessels are testing their horns at full volume for the finish-line celebrations.

As part of the Almanac on Board package, the 45-foot Jeanneau will bring up to 10 guests to the races every Saturday until the final weekend, October 26, when the America’s Cup winner is crowned. The vessel is one of an assortment of possible charter boats that spectate during the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup racing in Barcelona.

Spectator Boats at the America's Cup.

The first race between the Italians and Americans is good, but not close. Luna Rossa crosses the finish line with a 40-second win. I note that our boat’s vibe, which is full of journalists, is more laid back than our neighbors, who are cheering at full volume and blasting their horns. Our group is more interested in the cuisine.

Not me. Having been a fan of sailboat racing for years, I’m determined to take full advantage of this opportunity. Our sailboat is slated to be in the preferred charter boat zone, but Mocholi has eased us into the AC Teams and Partner Boats zone, effectively sneaking into the VIP area for a much better view. But like every spectator boat, we’re still a fair distance from the course. The Guardia Civil and customs officers in rigid-hulled inflatables patrol the spectator zones, ensuring all boats stay behind the line.

America's Cup Racing in Barcelona.

Sailing tends to be considered a dull, slow sport by some. But foiling boats have changed the game by making racing fast, thrilling and won not just by speed, but also by tactics and risk. I follow the action live when the racers are closest, moving between the bow and cockpit for the best view. When the two boats disappear to the course’s far end, I watch in real-time on the boat’s iPad. All spectator boats have viewing systems rigged up.

As part of the charter, Almanac has five-star touches from its Barcelona property on board: The cushions and bespoke toiletries are nice, but even more so the large beach towels, sunscreen, and baseball caps we are gifted. Most welcome, however, is the tasting menu from the hotel’s restaurant, Virens, and craft cocktails from its rooftop bar, Azimuth. We enjoy appetizers at first and then a tapas-style feast, creatively prepared by the hotel’s chefs using local ingredients and served by their wait staff.

Almanac Boat Charter

During the event, the Dom Pérignon, is flowing and everyone is having a good time, even if they’re not as enamored as I am with the racing. As we slip back into Port Veil, the cool cranberry, vodka, and lime cocktail we sip is perfect after a day at sea.

The range of vessels around us shows how easy it is to be a waterborne spectator for the America’s Cup. And that’s exactly as it should be, especially now that the initial round robin is complete and the semi-finals will start on Saturday. 

Almanac Craft Cocktail on America's Cup charter.

Almanac on Board packages start at $2,940 for two people for two nights accommodation in a suite, complimentary breakfast and private transfers to and from the port to watch the races on the Jeanneau 45.

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  1. PHOTOS: Charleston Race Week 2021 >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

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  2. PHOTOS: Charleston Race Week 2019 >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

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  3. Charleston Race Week

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  4. Six become eight as the RS21s take on Charleston Race Week

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  5. PHOTOS: Charleston Race Week >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

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  6. PHOTOS: Charleston Race Week >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

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  1. Charleston Race Week sets sail in Charleston Harbor

COMMENTS

  1. Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point

    Charleston, South Carolina, April 25, 2024. The 28th edition of Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point was a time for celebration for the College of Charleston Sailing Team; it can be proud of the depth of talent that it fielded at the prestigious regatta, one of the largest held annually in the country. Some seventy alumni and students were a ...

  2. Charleston Sailboat Racing

    Charleston Sailboat Racing (CSR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in Charleston, South Carolina in 2022. Post Categories . News (2) Racing (5) Social (2) Recent Posts . Upcoming CSR Fun Parties and Sailing May 7, 2023; 2023 Solo Series January 28, 2023; Location & Contact.

  3. 2024 Event Schedule

    Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point. Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point. HOME; RACE INFO. 2024 Regatta Registration; 2024 Notice of Race; ... Pursuit Course - First Warning Signal for 1st boat: 0930: Pursuit Starting Area: Inshore - First Warning Signal: 1100: Circles 1, 2, 3 and 4: Closing Party Awards Ceremony Chili and Tater Bar

  4. Home [charlestonoceanracing.com]

    Charleston Ocean Racing Association. September - Events and Reminders . LINK FOR CORA LOGO MERCHANDISE from Lands End. If you need to check your boat's race committee assignment, it is posted here. 21 September 2024 - Get Ready for the Fall Harbor Race sponsored by Ashley Yachts. 5 October 2024 - Sign up for the Alice Cup sponsored by Ashley Yachts

  5. Racing Information and Events

    Charleston Sailboat Racing (CSR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in Charleston, South Carolina in 2022. Post Categories . News (2) Racing (5) Social (2) Recent Posts . Upcoming CSR Fun Parties and Sailing May 7, 2023; 2023 Solo Series January 28, 2023; Location & Contact.

  6. Regatta Viewing Guide

    One of the best viewing areas will be the Charleston Maritime Center, which is just off Concord Street. There is free parking on site well as a parking garage very close by. Join us for the post-race parties. Every evening starting at 6:00 p.m., we'll be serving delicious food, great drinks and live music at the regatta village right on the ...

  7. Charleston Race Week

    Between April 18-21, hundreds of sailors from all corners of North America and beyond will descend on one of the finest sailboat racing destinations in the US - Charleston, South Carolina - for world-class racing and fun parties. A new partnership in 2024 between Charleston Race Week and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum was announced in ...

  8. Racing

    Charleston Sailboat Racing (CSR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in Charleston, South Carolina in 2022. Post Categories . News (2) Racing (5) Social (2) Recent Posts . Upcoming CSR Fun Parties and Sailing May 7, 2023; 2023 Solo Series January 28, 2023; Location & Contact.

  9. CORA Racing Program

    CORA Racing Program. CORA organizes and conducts over 30 regattas each year in the Charleston Harbor and Offshore waters, with a competitive fleet of over 70 local racing yachts. We race January through November, using the PHRF handicapping system, with both spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes. Wednesday night racing starts mid-May through August.

  10. CALENDAR

    Charleston Race Week; North Sails Summer Series; Historical Race Results. 2023 Race Results; 2022 Race Results; 2021 Race Results; 2020 Race Results; 2019 Race Results; ... Renewing Boat Owner Membership Application; New Boat Owner Membership Application; Volunteer; CALENDAR; RACING. CORA Racing Program; 2024 Racing Schedule;

  11. Charleston Race Week

    Charleston Race Week, North Charleston, South Carolina. 9,422 likes · 4 talking about this. Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point happens April 10-13, 2025. A Regatta Unlike Any Other!

  12. Charleston Race Week (finally) gets 25th anniversary

    Charleston, SC (April 11, 2021) - It turns out you can safely and successfully conduct a grand prix sailboat racing regatta amidst a pandemic.

  13. 2022 Charleston Race Week

    The Maryland resident, who had not participated in competitive sailboat racing in 13 years, bought a J/105 back in December and convinced five childhood friends to compete at Charleston Race Week. "We sailed the boat for the first time just last weekend," Marsh said. "We used this regatta as an excuse to spend time together and party."

  14. Charleston Sailboat Racing CSR

    Charleston Sailboat Racing CSR, Charleston, South Carolina. 64 likes. Sailboat races, regattas, and series in or near the Charleston South Carolina Harbor, respectful competition in a safe sport,...

  15. Racing begins Friday in the 28th edition of Charleston Race Week at

    Charleston, SC - April 15, 2024 - Sailors, boats, families, and friends are rolling into town for their first major regatta of 2024: Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point. In some one-design classes where competitors have lined up against each other during winter racing, CRW is often a time for retribution and to set the wheels in motion for ...

  16. Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA)

    Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA), Charleston, SC. 2,285 likes · 100 talking about this. Racing sailboats year round, inshore and offshore.... Racing sailboats year round, inshore and offshore.

  17. Regional Sailboat Races in the USA

    This classic race takes sailors between two of the USA's sailing epicenters. Charleston Race Week (Charleston, South Carolina): Website: Charleston Race Week; Description: Charleston Race Week is a premier sailing event held in Charleston, South Carolina. It's one of the largest regattas in the United States, featuring a wide range of ...

  18. How to Do Race Week

    A good way to see historic Charleston is to rent a bicycle or take a carriage tour. And, you don't even have to get in your car because the Charleston Water Taxi runs from the marina adjacent Race Week's headquarters, right across the harbor to the city. Restaurant mania You may already know that Charleston is a foodie's paradise.

  19. 2023 Racing Calendar Posted!

    Charleston Sailboat Racing (CSR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in Charleston, South Carolina in 2022. Post Categories . News (2) Racing (5) Social (2) Recent Posts . Upcoming CSR Fun Parties and Sailing May 7, 2023; 2023 Solo Series January 28, 2023; Location & Contact.

  20. 2024 Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point

    Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... 2024 Charleston Race Week at ...

  21. 2023 Season Races

    Charleston Sailboat Racing (CSR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in Charleston, South Carolina in 2022. Post Categories . News (2) Racing (5) Social (2) Recent Posts . Upcoming CSR Fun Parties and Sailing May 7, 2023; 2023 Solo Series January 28, 2023; Location & Contact.

  22. We Watched an America's Cup Race in Barcelona Right From the Water

    Seeing an AC75 race boat up close is a beautiful, exciting thing, one that even most diehard yachting-racing fans never get to experience. But during the first week's round robin of the Louis ...

  23. 2023 Charleston Race Week

    Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... 2023 Charleston Race Week ...

  24. About CSR

    Our member organization, Charleston Sailboat Racing (CSR), is set forth by the parent, Charleston Sailboat Racing Corporation (CSRC), incorporated in the state of South Carolina in 2022, the second such organization to be founded in Charleston since the late 1960s. CSR/CSRC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit private foundation, and our charter ...