One thing we're observing at Charleston Race Week 2024 is the number of teams comprised of family members, which is awesome. Charleston is a wonderful place not only to sail but for those in the family who don't sail, there is just so much otherwise to do.

On the water this week is the J70 Microburst from the Soloman's Island area in Maryland, owned by Tom Moulds racing with his two sons Everett and Xander, and their two high school sailing friends Grace and Sam. Microburst replaces the Moulds' family previous boat (ironically) named Natural Disaster, an Olson 80, which was wrecked when a microburst storm ripped through the yard where she was up on the hard.

"With a young team and our first time in a big fleet we are really excited just to see what it's like to be with 40+ boats and get some experience," Moulds noted. "Of course, our number one rule is just to have fun…" Time off school didn't really come into the conversation; as Xander commented, "This is fun AND educational!"

Xander added, "I drive and keep us moving forward. This week I am looking forward to getting experience with all these boats and getting more comfortable with the fleet so I can bring this knowledge to high school sailing and other sailing."

Moulds bought Microburst in April 2023 and the team did one travel regatta in Annapolis. They're using Charleston Race Week to set off their second season in the boat.

"We figured we'd start it off with a bang!" Moulds said. "This is my second time to Charleston – the last time I did it in an Olson 29, probably 15 years ago, and we got to sail outside which I vowed never to do again in a little boat so we're happy that we are on the inshore course with the J70 fleet."

Their goal upon purchasing the J70 was to pick a one design boat and get out of PHRF so they could learn boat speed and tactics more than one may get out of PHRF, noted Moulds. The J70 was attractive to them due to the large fleet nationwide where Mould felt they would be able to get a lot of experience from top sailors.

"We want to learn from them because every day is a learning experience," Moulds said. "Everyone in the J70 fleet is super nice and helpful; every time we go talk to folks in this fleet, they are happy to share knowledge, info, tactics, trim techniques and even sails. One of the sails we are using was provided for us by one of the fleet captains in Annapolis to make sure we were racing on an even keel with everyone else. It's a great fleet and its fun learning tactics in a big fleet."

Bringing the kids to Charleston also gave Moulds a reason to figure out what it took to do a road trip with the boat…and kids.

"For us the drive is within eight hours, so, long but not impossible, then just to figure out all the logistics so that we could make a good checklist for the future; we've been writing down our notes!"

The team are enjoying the warmer weather in Charleston, and enjoyed Friday's racing with nice planing conditions, good wind, and some exciting downwind runs, commented Moulds.

NOTE: Charleston Race Week J70 sailors: electric outboard company and CRW sponsor Remigo will give away a RemigoOne outboard motor to the winner in the J70 class!