2015 Sperry Charleston Race Week - High spirits despite a little rain

by Sperry Charleston Race Week on 18 Apr 2015 2015 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week - Despite overcast skies and some early rain, the 2,500 sailors competing in Sperry Charleston Race Week got in a full day of racing across the six race courses that make up this mega event. And if the conditions dampened anyone's spirits, they were sufficiently uplifted on the dock as the racers were greeted by the Torqeedo girls handing out cans of Gosling's signature Dark 'N Stormy beverage.

On the inshore courses, where everyone battled strong ebb tides flowing nearly parallel to moderate northerly breezes, all of the 200 boats across three race courses managed to complete three races. Offshore, the story was nearly the same, with the majority of competitors enjoying three good contests.

The word of the day was 'challenging' with a capital 'C' according to Ryan Ruhlman of Bratenahl, OH, and the crew on board his Stupendous Man sailing in the 84-boat J/70 class. They were in an upbeat mood despite finishing 26th in their first race of the day.

'The current is really tough to figure out,' said Ruhlman between races. 'It's not something we deal with when we race at home. But overall, we're enjoying ourselves. I actually went to college here, and it's fun to come back and sail in such a huge fleet. Honestly, it's such a terrific regatta. This my tenth time and I'll keep coming back.'

So, change that word of the day to 'terrific.' The images here speak volumes about that and today's competition at Sperry Charleston Race Week.

The huge J/70 fleet commutes downwind in the same bumper-to-bumper traffic reflected on the Ravenel Bridge above on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Gone are the days of casual yachting at Sperry Charleston Race Week - these fleets require high-intensity action and athleticism all around on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

No one gives an inch when a National Championship is on the line, such as during this start on the high-octane Melges 20 course on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Watch yourself! Sailors exchange words during a close cross in the Melges 24 fleet on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Day One may not have provided the usual sun and sea breeze, but a beautiful if ominous sky looked out on incredibly tactical and tight racing across the fleets on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

The northwesterly breeze meant unconventional tactics for the J/24, J/22, J/80, and VX-One fleets on the city front course, and those who worked their way into the shore for current relief won big, and had a nice sightseeing trip just a few feet from downtown Charleston on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Some boats went in a bit too far, necessitating a little swim and a push off the sandy bottom. Here, the VX-One ‘Victory’ aptly demonstrates the technique perfectly on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

The quickest boats in Charleston fight for clean air at the start of PHRF A’s racing on Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Velocity paves the way downwind ahead of the seven-boat J/111 fleet on a light and shifty Day one of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Robin Team’s family-crewed Teamwork shows how the boat got its name as they work their way in front of the tough PHRF A fleet. Day one, Friday 17th April, 2015.

Nothing happens without the support of Title Sponsor Sperry, and their logo looks great on the top mark as a Farr 280 sails by Day one, Friday 17th April, 2015.

The slick graphics on J/88 Touch2Play aren’t just for looks; they’re as fast as they look and lead the J/88 Class after a day of racing.

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