Registration Continues Record Pace For 2010 Charleston Race Week (1-28-10)
Amenities and Competition Attract Big Numbers for Another Record Year
CHARLESTON, SC (January 28, 2010) – As the days get longer and
temperatures climb, the number of entries for 2010 Charleston Race Week
(CRW) climbs with them. Already almost 100 boats are signed up, well ahead of
last year’s pace that produced a record fleet of over 170 competing teams.
“We love to see old names pop up on the entry list, so many of the racers become
like family to our staff and volunteers over the years,” said Race Director Randy
Draftz. “But as we’ve grown over the past three years, we’ve been immensely
gratified to meet so many fun, new competitors and help them get to know how
great our waters are.”
View the official entry list.
Early Registration Discount Available for Only Four More Days
Today’s times require boat owners to squeeze as much fun out of every racing
dollar they spend, and Charleston Race Week’s staff works hard to help, including
a substantial early registration discount that expires this Sunday, January 31.
“We say ‘If you know you’re coming, why pay more?’” said manager of logistics,
Danny Havens. Racers can take advantage of early registration and save $50 by
going to the official registration page here.
The event has maintained entry fees at 2007 levels for three years now, and
provides block discounts for hotels as well as free launch and haul locations via
ramp or crane for smaller, trailerable boats. The event continues to offer free
limited storage for trailerable boats under 30 feet from January 1st until
Charleston Race Week begins on April 8th. “The storage at Azalea is secure and
saves me a couple hundred dollars every year,” said Michigan Melges 24 owner
Paul Hulsey. “That savings more than pays for the party at the resort; which
nobody should miss.” A storage contract must be signed to take advantage of the
free offer. Details can be found here.
New in 2010 is a free storage solution for the larger Melges 32 sportboats at
Pierside Boatworks’ secure yard. Pierside will also launch and haul all
boats for the CRW rate, and Melges 32 teams wishing to take advantage of free
storage should contact them directly at (843) 554-7775.
Book a hotel room at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina where all the
festivities will be taking place and ensure a place to call home each night after the
races and beach parties. Book now and use the CRW code, SCMARACE.
Handicap and One-Design Racing Equally Strong for 2010
Charleston Race Week is widely acknowledged to have some of the closest
handicap racing of any major regatta. “We have lots of closely matched bands of
boats every year, and our PHRF handicap committee ensures that handicaps and
splits make sense for the best possible racing experience,” Draftz said. IRC
handicap racers are welcome, and for the first time, a mixed sportboat class is an
option. “There are some great designs floating around that are perfect for our
offshore circles,” Havens said. “Solid sea breeze and offshore swell mean fast
rides for fast rides, and we’re excited to see boats like the Viper 830, Melges 32,
Flying Tiger, and Henderson 30 get together for some great racing against similar
boats.”
Already the one-design fleets are gearing up for battle, with big fleets guaranteed
amongst returning classes like the J/24, J/80 and Melges 24, while relative
newcomers like the Viper 640 and Melges 20 expect extremely strong turnout.
“I’m looking forward to my fourth CRW, absolutely my favorite regatta on the
East Coast,” said Viper owner David Furna. “I tell everyone I race with that
Charleston is one of the ‘must do’ regattas, and I can’t wait!”
A great story is the return of the Tripp 26 Class to Charleston, with five of these
quick and well-regarded raceboats entered to date, from as far as Ontario,
Canada. “The last place the Tripp 26 had a one-design start was probably here
back in 2006,” said Tom Freeman, the Canadian owner of ‘Slapshot.’ “This is my
fifth or sixth Charleston Race Week, and one of the best parts of the event is
sailing outside the harbor in some waves and nice breeze.” But the real treat to
Tom is the power reach back to the dock after racing. “With the afternoon sea
breeze pumping and the incoming tide ripping, we’ve seen 12 knots over the
ground as we eat sandwiches and drink beer on the way to the party. Some folks
complain about the distance to the offshore courses, but we think it’s a bonus!”
With a handful of these fun boats scattered around the Southeast, Freeman hopes
to see at least three more teams register in the next month.
Win a Three-Day Sail aboard a Classic Schooner
All net proceeds earned from Charleston Race Week support the nonprofit South
Carolina Maritime Foundation, which owns and operates the ‘Spirit of South
Carolina’ tall ship. The Foundation offers effective, unique educational
opportunities for the students aboard the ‘Spirit.’ The Foundation is kicking off
2010 by hosting a sponsorship drive for its summer scholarship fund with a
phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime prize: a three-day, two-night sail aboard the
‘Spirit’ for the winner and 17 of their closest friends. Room and board aboard the
140-foot traditional gaff-rigged schooner are included, but transportation is the
responsibility of the winner, and the cruise will take place in either Boston in
August, Rhode Island in September or Charleston in fall of 2010, at the winner’s
selection.
Each $25 ticket supports the Spirit Ocean Adventure Scholarship fund, and the
winner will be drawn and announced on the final day of Charleston Race Week
on April 11, 2010. Corporate entries are welcome! Entry details are here and
tickets can be purchased online here. You do not need to be present to win.
About Charleston Race Week
Charleston Race Week is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation
and the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA). Charleston Race Week is
sponsored by Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, the Town of Mt. Pleasant,
Charleston Boatworks and Azalea Moving & Storage. Visit
www.CharlestonRaceWeek.com for more information, including online entry,
Notice of Race, shoreside events schedules and housing and logistical
information. Visit www.SCMaritime.org to learn more about the South Carolina
Maritime Foundation’s programs.
