You Just Gotta Be There — Sperry Top-Sider® Charleston Race Week

Charleston, South Carolina (December 13, 2012) — Get ready for the 18th edition of Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week – now the country’s largest regatta of its kind. For 2013 (April 18-21), we’ve got all the action you’re accustomed to, plus few new twists, including new classes, new sponsors and – as always – some of the best race management anywhere. You just gotta be there.

New Players
Each spring, when Race Week rolls around, there’s always something new in the mix. This year, one of the biggest developments will be the advent of a new one-design class – the J/70. If we were expecting just a handful of these boats, you wouldn’t be reading about it here, but the J/70’s debut in Charleston is going to be big. Can you say 30 boats? That’s what class members are saying. We’re only halfway through December, and already 13 boats have registered. Watch out race weekers, here come the J/70s!

And, if everything goes as planned, we’ll also have a class of Swan 42s joining the offshore action. Stand by for updates on this.

New Sponsors
We'll also be getting support from a few new sponsors. Along with our longtime supporters, Sperry Top-Sider, Goslings Rum, Vineyard Vines and the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina (and many others), we’ll be introducing Torqueedo and Eel Snot. You read that right. Torqueedo is the German manufacturer of high-tech, electric outboard engines; and Eel Snot is the purveyor of a new lubricant. Be sure to check out their offerings.

New Logistics
Good news for all competitors sailing on the offshore courses. This year, you can sleep a little longer each morning because the warning signal on all offshore racing circles will be 30 minutes later than last year. (Check the Notice of Race on the website for details.)

In an effort to meet the launching and hauling needs of out of town boats arriving via trailer, Race Week's organizers are working closely with several area yacht clubs and one local boat yard. The J/22s and J/70s will be launched and hauled at the James Island Yacht Club. Larger boats will be launched and hauled at Pierside Boat Works on the Old Navy Base in North Charleston. All others will either be launched and hauled at the Charleston Yacht Club or at various ramps around Charleston Harbor. Stand by for additional details.

And keep in mind that the $50 early registration discount is only available until January 31, so register early and save.

New Contest
Want to be stylin’ with some new swag? Sign up now to continue receiving Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week e-newsletters and you’ll   automatically be entered to win a “Gotta Be There” Race Week hat as well as some other some cool stuff. We’ll select a winner from all those who sign up between now and December 20th. Just send an e-mail to info@charlestonraceweek.com.

For more information about Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, check out our website. You just gotta be there.