Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Charleston Race Week action on the horizon

by Charleston Race Week on 9 Apr 2014
Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week 2013 Meredith Block/ Charleston Race Week http://www.charlestonraceweek.com/
Just a couple of days remain before the starting guns sound for the 2014 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, but already sailing activity on Charleston Harbor has been fast and furious for several weeks. Five independent events over six weeks in April and May makes Charleston Harbor the epicenter of spring sailing in North America. Over the past week, hundreds of sailors have descended on the Holy City as this region has become one of the most active sailing destinations in the world during the spring.

Founded in 1996 by local sailors, Charleston Race Week has experienced explosive growth over the past decade – from 117 boats in 2005 to nearly 300 this year – making it the Western Hemisphere’s biggest keelboat regatta. The event has served to highlight Charleston Harbor as one of the country’s best sailing venues. Along with the Lowcountry’s growing acclaim as a tourist destination, Charleston’s sailing renown is yielding an almost non-stop ‘springtime of sailing’ for the area.

Three substantial events have already taken place, while two more are on the horizon. Two weeks ago, the James Island Yacht Club hosted a 17-boat fleet of speedy E-Scows, and just last weekend, a fleet of the world’s fastest sailing dinghies made another appearance here. The high-flying, hydro-foiling International Moth Class held its North American Championship here, with reigning World Champion and past Charleston Race Week champ Bora Gulari taking the top prize.

The third spring sailing event took place on Sunday, April 6 when the harbor was awash with kiteboarders, windsurfers, dinghy and catamaran sailors of all stripes, each vying to be named ‘King of the Harbor’ in the inaugural edition of the Fort2Battery Race, a high-octane, unrestricted dash-for-cash that was open to any wind-powered craft.

This upstart event is the brainchild of new Charleston resident Tim Fitzgerald, an active kiteboarder. Fitzgerald started his inaugural drag race Sunday afternoon just off Fort Sumter in a solid, 15-knot northerly breeze. Almost immediately, Gulari sailed his Moth away from an oversubscribed fleet of 60 competitors, once again proving his supremacy on the water. It took the Detroit-based Gulari just under nine minutes to complete the four-mile course. That’s an average speed of around 30 mph, faster than many powerboats.

The Kansas-born Fitzgerald said he moved to Charleston largely for its reputation as a perfect sailing spot. 'With the beaches, the breeze, the harbor, the great attitudes here, and the strong maritime tradition, it’s really a playground for those who love the wind and the water,' he said. Fitzgerald was surprised at just how welcoming the community was for an all-new racing concept, adding that he ‘couldn’t believe’ that his new race sold out just weeks after announcing it. 'Honestly I couldn’t believe the level of support from everyone; local communities, the Coast Guard, the SCDNR, and sailors of every variety.'

For Gulari, who has been competing in Charleston for more than a decade, it was like a day at the office. He says Charleston is a pretty consistent place to sail. 'The breeze, the great people, and the incredible hospitality are always reliable here in Charleston, and I’m just happy to be here for another year.'

As the organizers of Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week – the Western Hemisphere’s biggest and most high-profile event of its kind – get ready to host over 280 boats, crews are arriving early to set up their boats and spend a few days practicing, turning Charleston Harbor into a hive of sailing activity.

Every year, Charleston Race Week also sees the launch of some of the world’s newest racing boats, and one of the most exciting for 2014 is the new 28-foot Farr 280, which has been christened Chessie Racing. A product of the CAD systems at legendary naval architects Farr Yacht Design of Annapolis, Md., this new design will be crewed by Farr designers and staffers, including Farr Yacht Design President Patrick Shaughnessy.

'For us, the Farr 280 is probably the most important new project we’ve had in years,' said Shaughnesy, adding that Charleston is the perfect place to debut the new rocket. 'When we looked at how to best demonstrate the 280, it seemed pretty obvious that Charleston was the place to be,' he said. 'This is the quintessential springtime East Coast regatta, in a beautiful city, with great people; what more could we want?'

Chessie Racing will square off in the tough, 11-boat PHRF A fleet; one of the 16 classes that will be spread over five race courses in the harbor and outside the jetties. More than 80 boats will battle in the largest fleet – the J/70 – and nearly 300 boats will compete for trophies and bragging rights over three days of racing.

Event website: click here

Maritimo M600PredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOM

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 4
All on the line Sunday as American Magic Quantum Racing seek to close out eighth world title After three spectacular races today on Cascais, Portugal's showcase high winds arena, Doug DeVos' seven times world title winners American Magic Quantum Racing lead into the final day of the 2025 Rolex TP52 Worlds with a hard earned five points buffer.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
Registration open for Annapolis to Bermuda Race
A2B covers 753 nm from the heart of the Chesapeake Bay to the island paradise of Bermuda The organizing committee of the Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race (A2B) is pleased to announce that registration for the 2026 edition of this iconic offshore sailing event sponsored by Mustang Survival is officially open!
Posted today at 2:42 pm
North launches new Wingfoil Race Collection
Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace. Engineered with a VMG-optimised partial double skin for improved aerodynamic efficiency, lower drag and precise manoeuvres at higher speeds.
Posted today at 10:35 am
AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water.
Posted on 4 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D5
Stage set for Finals showdown in Marstrand With just one day to go at the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, the stage is set for a thrilling finale in both the Open and Women's classes.
Posted on 4 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section.
Posted on 4 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 2
Light breeze, boat park buzz and big wins off the water >Day 2 brought lighter winds to Lake Garda, but the energy around the event stayed sky-high.
Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 3
French tour de force gives Paprec world championship lead As the Rolex TP52 World Championship passed its midway point today in Cascais, Portugal it is the French underdogs on Paprec, led by ocean racing legend Loïck Peyron, which has taken the overall lead.
Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again?
Posted on 4 Jul
International Moth Worlds begin this weekend
Pre-Worlds are under way at Malcesine From 6 to 13 July 2025, the 2025 Moth World Championship officially gets under way, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine and preceded by the Pre-Worlds on 4 and 5 July. The event marks the culmination of three weeks entirely dedicated to foiling.
Posted on 4 Jul