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 2009 CHARLESTON RACE WEEK AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS
Event Director Brad Van Liew Explains Why in this Exclusive Q&A
CHARLESTON, SC (April 23, 2009) – The past year has seen falling participation in almost all sporting events, and sailing is no exception. High fuel prices and a decline in the size of many national one-design classes had already negatively effected most sailing events in 2008, long before the huge impact from the recession hit. 2009 Acura Key West Race Week, long the Southeast's biggest and most important multi-class regatta, suffered huge declines in participation, down more than 40% from 2008, while most other 2009 regattas, both grand prix-level as well as local events, have lost between 5 and 20% of their racing teams.
That backdrop makes Charleston Race Week's stunning growth and overall success a truly impressive accomplishment, and Event Director Brad Van Liew explains why it all worked so well in this short Q & A.
With nearly every 2009 regatta showing reduced numbers, how did you manage to attract almost 30% more boats than 2008?
BVL: There's certainly no single reason, just as there is no single person responsible for the great turnout this year. First, we've got a fabulous team of staff and volunteers from both the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and CORA, as well as tons of help from the local yacht clubs and all of our out-of-town Race Committee personnel. Second, we've got a great group of sponsors that help us provide a real value to our racers; great food and drink, logistics and rigging services, and the kind of valuable prizes that we don't think any other US regattas award to the winners. Third, it's important to understand that this didn't happen overnight - the Foundation joined CORA in managing the event back in 2005 with the goal to turn a largely local regatta with a great history into a real national player, and it's taken this long to make it happen.
So what was the most important decision your group made to achieve your goals?
BVL: The most important part of having a good sailboat race is the venue itself, and maybe the biggest decision we made was early on, when we moved the event from City Marina to the excellent Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina at Patriots Point. It brings the boats another couple of miles closer to the ocean courses, making the trip out take less than an hour. The award-winning marina is well-designed and convenient and the hotel and grounds are gorgeous. Our daily awards ceremony and Gosling's Rum party stick in the racers' minds all year long - they happen right at the water's edge on a beautiful sandy beach in the resort’s backyard.
... news section for more
Background:
Charleston Race Week offers sailors a chance to enjoy great racing and southern hospitality. Scheduled for April 16-19, 2009, Charleston Race Week is perfectly placed if you're traveling north after Miami, or if you decide to make it your first regatta of the Spring season. We offer fabulous beach parties and three days of great racing in the harbor and offshore. Don't miss this great racing in what Outside Magazine calls America's Dream Town.
Charleston Race Week is an annual premiere regatta for One-Design boats 20-70 feet LOA, and IRC and PHRF boats 22-70+ feet LOA. There is potential for a multi-hull class to develop for 2009. The regatta is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA). Profits from this event support the classic tall ship for education, the Spirit of South Carolina.
BVL: There's certainly no single reason, just as there is no single person responsible for the great turnout this year. First, we've got a fabulous team of staff and volunteers from both the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and CORA, as well as tons of help from the local yacht clubs and all of our out-of-town Race Committee personnel. Second, we've got a great group of sponsors that help us provide a real value to our racers; great food and drink, logistics and rigging services, and the kind of valuable prizes that we don't think any other US regattas award to the winners. Third, it's important to understand that this didn't happen overnight - the Foundation joined CORA in managing the event back in 2005 with the goal to turn a largely local regatta with a great history into a real national player, and it's taken this long to make it happen. |
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Spirit of South Carolina
Charleston Ocean
Racing Association
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