BACK IN 2022 EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER
After a few tough years, the organizers of Charleston Race Week have been working tirelessly to host a comeback event in 2022 that will live up to its stellar reputation! The event was held in 2021 under completely different circumstances and safety protocols, but still attracted a large turn-out - not bad amidst a pandemic and with no regatta parties or special events.
Charleston Race Week is known for its innovative tweaks each year and they really got creative in 2020 with virtual live coverage and commentary, GPS live tracking, and zoom race debriefs. You can rest assured that Race Week 2022 will be back to normal and bigger and better than ever with the top-notch racing, educational opportunities, and beach parties that Race Week is known for.
Organizers of Race Week listen to what the sailors want and they deliver! So, don't miss Race Week 2022.
Event registration is now being managed by Phlotilla.com, a next generation regatta management system and online hub for the sailing community. Phlotilla provides sailors with useful, engaging tools and resources that promote engagement within classes, fleets, clubs and events. We encourage every entry to create a Yacht Profile for their boat and Sailor Profiles for the crew, all of which will be linked on the entry list, scratch sheet and results pages. If you are looking to crew or in need of crew, look for the Crew Finder on the CRW's Phlotilla page. You can also check out news and videos from around the sailing world at Phlotilla.News.
Charleston Race Week a Success as Grand Prix Racing Returns After Tough Year
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.
Longtime Circle 1 PRO Tommy Harken Presented with Jubilee Award
During the early years of Charleston Race Week, when the fleet was growing annually, organizers created a new course they called "overstock."
Event director Randy Draftz knew he needed a Charleston local to manage that course, which was tucked into an area of the harbor right off The Battery.
Draftz turned to Tommy Harken, a highly respected Charleston sailor and race officer. Harken has served as principal race officer of Course 1 ever since, expertly managing that circle and routinely receiving rave reviews from sailors.
What's On Today: Sunday, April 11
0730: Event Breakfast pick-up
0730: Live Weather Briefing on Zoom with Shea Gibson/SailFlow and Farley Fontenot/Quantum Sails
0930: Pursuit Class - First Warning Signal for 1st boat
0930: Hybrid Pursuit Class - First Warning Signal for 1st boat
1100: Inshore (Circles 1, 2, 3 & 4) - First Warning Signal
1700-1800: Awards Ceremony, Winners Only
Moving Day at Charleston Race Week Shakes up Standings in Some Classes
It was moving day at Charleston Race Week and many teams took that mandate to heart. There was a shakeup of the standings within several classes as certain boats many opening day leaders were overtaken.
Of course, the fact all eight classes on the four inside circles were able to complete four races on Saturday gave trailing boats an opportunity to climb up the leader board.
VX One, which has 25 entries, was among the one-design classes that had a new leader after Day 2. Chris Alexander and his crew aboard Counterproductive had a strong day on the water, posting an impressive 1-2-3-3 score line to move into first place.
Michelle Warner and the Tudo Bem team fell from first to third as Evolution Sails professional Marty Kullman (USA 275) also advanced several places.
Counterproductive has a low score of 25 points, six better than Kullman and seven ahead of Warner.