2015 Sperry Charleston Race Week - Day 2

by Sperry Charleston Race Week on 19 Apr 2015 Sailors at Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015 were treated to a surprise respite this morning, with dead-calm conditions giving the 2,500 sailors at the premier regatta a chance to sleep in and catch up with old friends as the clouds slowly burned off. Around midday, bright sun and a beautiful, eight knot sea breeze developed as the land heated, and both the inshore and offshore fleets were treated to a great, late-afternoon of racing in two contests across all fleets.

While the racers competed, one unfortunate incident that took place on Friday kept the jury busy on shore. It also brought into focus the challenges that Sperry Charleston Race Week organizers face when bringing nearly 300 racing boats onto a busy commercial and recreational harbor. On their way back to the marina that day, Kris Kalinski and his crew on board Kalinski’s Melges 24 Zoo crossed the bow of an incoming container ship in the shipping channel, forcing emergency action and a five-blast collision warning from the ship’s horn - twice. Race officials filed a protest against Zoo as necessitated by the rules, and the jury disqualified the team from all racing.

After two rehearings on Saturday, Event Director Randy Draftz said the jury’s hands were tied, and with good reason. “We can all sympathize with Kris and his crew of course, but the race committee really has no alternative in this situation,” said Draftz. “Safety is always paramount to us, especially in a commercial harbor with swift currents and massive ships constantly on the move, and if we don’t take pretty drastic measures in this situation, we’re not being responsible.”

Racing begins an hour earlier on Sunday, April 19, the final day of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015. There may be as many as four more races to decide the champions of sailing’s springtime classic.

From Torquay, England, Joe Woods' Red continues to dominate in the Farr 280 fleet, leading Brad Kaufman’s Mummbles and Pete Hunter’s B@Speed downwind on Race No. Three offshore on Saturday 18th April, 2015.

Brad Kauffman's crew on board Mummbles goes for a drop on Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

It takes teamwork to get the big kites down in the J/Classes today on Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

A snafu aboard Max Buerman’s sparkling new C&C 30 Salt in PHRF A class meant a little unscheduled docking with a Race Committee boat on Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

George Gamble's My Sharona leads the tight J/111 fleet downwind on Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

An athletic bowman wrestles in the enormous spinnaker aboard third Place J/111 Spaceman Spiff on the way into the bottom mark in Race four on Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

Michael Zupon’s USA 97 Loki passes within a few feet of the Charleston Harbor range light in a moderate sea breeze during Day 2 of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015

J/70s march downwind in the shadow of the Ravenel Bridge in a beautiful Saturday afternoon breeze on the inshore courses on Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015 of Sperry Charleston Race Week 2015.

Bowgirl Jessica prepares for a hoist on the final approach to the top mark aboard Richard Nesbitt’s Tic Toc Croc, Inshore Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

Tom Cassberg’s Melges 20 FlygFisk leads an incredibly tight pack of Melges 20s as they head downwind in the shadow of Fort Sumter during their national championship. Inshore Day 2, Saturday 18th April, 2015.

Enough afternoon sun shone through the clouds to set up a beautiful eight knot thermal breeze today, allowing for two picture-perfect races on all inshore courses on Day 2. A J/80 and J/24 highlight the perfect light in this shot.

The bright white Dacron sails of the huge J/70 fleet set up a perfect contrast against a looming cloud over Sullivan’s Island today. Fortunately the squalls would hang back, allowing the competitors to enjoy two races in a light sea breeze today.

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