Charleston Race Week 2010 - Light air, flat water for last day

by South Carolina Maritime Foundation on 12 Apr 2010 The final day of racing at 2010 Charleston Race Week brought a big change to the previous two extreme sailing days, with just 8 - 12 knots of warm wind blowing across the harbor. 'We had to sail the boat differently today in the lighter air,' said PHRF-Sport Class winner Kip Meadows of his Melges 32 Roxanne. 'The wind picked up nicely, but still, it took some quick adjustments and a different mindset to excel out there.'

The largest fleet on the water was once again the elite Melges 24 Class, and a tense showdown developed today after the first race, when local star David Dabney used his encyclopedic knowledge of the harbor to sail to a strong third place finish, taking the lead over 2009 Moth World Champion Bora Gulari with just one race to go. 'I don't deal with pressure well, so we just went out and sailed our own race,' said Dabney.

The final race started with Dabney ahead of Detroit's Gulari; yet after crossing ahead of the Detroit boat, Dabney's Conejo Racingfouled local Guy Mossman's Battle Rhythm, forcing Dabney to sail a penalty circle and lose his lead. 'After my crew had worked so hard for the lead and possibly the win, I was bummed to have let them down, but that's racing,' Dabney explained. The Charleston sailor then gybed first at the top mark to take advantage of his knowledge of the harbor. 'We changed our electronics to read depth instead of speed, and sailed to the beach' and it almost worked, with Dabney passing over a dozen boats to round the next mark inches from Gulari. 'We kept it as close as we could, but those guys were just a little faster, and they deserve their win,' Dabney said. 'We had a great time battling with them the whole week.' For his part, Gulari was 'amazed at how well Dave knew the water and how fast they were,' and thought Dabney's team was 'all class.'

PHRF B turned out to be the nail biter of the offshore courses, with just two points separating Tangent, Velocity, and Primal Scream. 'We're good friends that would never mess with one another,' said Mark Reddinger from Velocity. 'But with points this close on the last day, things change.' The boats nearly collided, with 'just inches' keeping them from damage as they battle for the lead - but it was all for naught as Primal Scream owner Steve Stollman slipped into the lead on the final leg of the final race, taking the Class victory.

'We're good at coming from behind,' said Stollman. 'The crew just fixes the problem, goes for it every time, and never looks back.' Stollman's performance won him the Palmetto Cup, awarded for the most competitive PHRF PHRF yacht in the event. 'This is the best Charleston Race Week yet, and it means a lot to win the Cup for the third time in three tries.'

The first-ever IRC fleet saw the Swiss Vincitore finish the event with all first-place finishes. 'If we had a couple more 50-footers in the race it would obviously be more competitive,' said Hayden Goodrick, bowman on the big blue racer. 'But we understand it's early days for IRC here in Charleston, and hopefully they'll be here next year - we certainly hope to as well!'

Not a frown was seen on the hundreds of faces at the awards ceremony on Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina's sandy beach. 'The city, the weather and the event organizers couldn't have presented this town any better,' said local sailing coach Ryan Hamm, whose J/24 Pigs Fly Too finished in sixth place. 'The competition is stiff, and it's great to see so many sailors learn to love Charleston. Vincitore owner Jim Mitchell agreed: 'This place is just special.'

Cumulative results for top five positions:
Viper 640 (One Design - 30 Boats)
1. Jackpot, Viper 640 21, Brad Boston, Point Edward, ONT, CAN - 1, 1, 8, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 5, 31/DNS, [31] ; 24
2. Bliksem, Viper 640 20, Pieter Taselaar, Scarsdalde, NY, USA - 5, 4, 2, 6, 11, 2, 1, 1, 4, 5, [11] ; 30
3. 3 Grins, Viper 640 21, Dave Nickerson / Moise Solomon, Noank, CT, USA - 2, 3, 4, 5, 20, 7, 3, 6, 2, 2, [20] ; 34
4. Quiq, Viper 640 21, Rob Gorman Jr, Key West, FL, USA - 4, 12, 1, 4, 7, 3, 8, 8, 1, 4, [12] ; 40
5. Who Dat?, Viper 640 21, Justin Scott, Greenwich, CT, USA - 7, 2, 3, 3, 2, 5, 10, 7, 9, 6, [10] ; 44

Melges 20 (One Design - 14 Boats)
1. Bacio, Audi Melges 20 20, Michael Kiss, Macatawa, MI, USA - 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 13, 4, [13] ; 20
2. C-4, Audi Melges 20 20, Joel Ronning, Orono, MN, USA - 2, 5, 1, 7, 5, 3, 1, 8/SCP, 1, 9, [9] ; 33
3. Cinghiale, Audi Melges 20 20, Robert Wilber, Stony Creek, CT, USA - 7, 2, 6, 4, 2, 11, 3, 2, 6, 3, [11] ; 35
4. STAR, Audi Melges 20 20, Jeff Ecklund, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA - 3, 1, 9, 1, 10, 2, 7, 4, 7, 2, [10] ; 36
5. Vaya Con Dios, Audi Melges 20 20, Anthony Tabb, Chicago, IL, USA - 1, 6, 3, 6, 7, 8, 5, 3, 11, 6, [11] ; 45

Melges 24 (One Design - 31 Boats)
1. Flying Elvis, Melges 24 24, Bora Gulari, Detroit, MI, USA - 4, 4, 1, 1, 1, 3, 7, 5, 10, 8, [10] ; 34
2. Conejo Racing, Melges 24 24, David Dabney, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA - 1, 3, 4, 5, 3, 7, 4, 4, 3, 9, [9] ; 34
3. LAYLINE, Melges 24 24, Travis Weisleder, Richmond, VA, USA - 32/DNF, 7, 2, 2, 10, 8, 2, 2, 2, 2, [32] ; 37
4. Blur - Pacific Energy Ventures, Melges 24 24, Steve Kopf, Isle of Palms, SC, USA - 8, 1, 6, 3, 11, 1, 12, 6, 8, 3, [12] ; 47
5. UNSPONSORED, Melges 24 24, Wieland Christof, Munich, Bayern, GER - 2, 2, 7, 9, 6, 17, 10, 7, 5, 7, [17] ; 55

J 80 (One Design - 20 Boats)
1. Lifted, J 80 26, Kerry Klingler, Larchmont, NY, USA - 3, 2, 1, 13, 6, 1, 1, 3, 1, 4, [13] ; 22
2. B-Team, J 80 26, Rogers / Welan, Kemah, TX, USA - 12, 1, 5, 2, 1, 2, 6, 2, 2, 1, [12] ; 22
3. Le Tigre, J 80 26, Glenn Darden Reese Hillard, Fort Worth, TX, USA - 4, 5, 8/SCP, 1, 2, 5, 13, 5, 5, 3, [13] ; 38
4. Tiamo, J 80 26, Bruno Pasquinelli, Dallas, TX, USA - 2, 4, 7/SCP, 5, 3, 14/SCP, 2, 4, 10, 5, [14] ; 42
5. Rascal, J 80 26, Henry Brauer, Marblehead, MA, USA - 1, 7/SCP, 2, 6, 12, 3, 11, 11, 4, 2, [12] ; 47

J 24 (One Design - 17 Boats)
1. Murder Incorporated, J 24 24, Chip Till, Wrightsville Beach, NC, USA - 1, 4, 4, 4, 1, 3, 1, 2. REX, J 24 24, Joe Macdonald, Mississauga, ONT, CAN - 18/DNF, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 3, 4, 2, 1, [18] ; 19
3. USA2918, J 24 24, Chris Jankowski, Richmond, VA, USA - 4, 1, 1, 5, 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, [5] ; 22
4. Tutakrnaut, J 24 24, Roger Dougal, Columbia, SC, USA - 2, 3, 2, 6, 3, 4, 8/SCP, 3, 10, 5, [10] ; 36
5. BASH, J 24 24, Ron Medlin, Jr., Goldsboro, NC, USA - 3, 6, 5, 3, 12, 5, 4, 7, 13, 4, [13] ; 49

IRC (IRC - 6 Boats)
1. Vincitore, RP 52 52, Jim Mitchell, Seattle, WA, Switzerland - 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 7/DNC, [7] ; 7
2. Cool Breeze, Mills 43 Custom 43, John Cooper, Springfield, MO, USA - 4, 2/RDG, 4, 2, 2, 3, 3, 2, [4] ; 18
3. Teamwork, J 122 40, Robin Team, Lexington, NC, USA - 2, 4, 6, 4, 4, 2, 5, 1, [6] ; 22
4. Jubilee, Archambault A40RC 40, Cal Huge, Summerville, SC, USA - 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 4, 4, [5] ; 22
5. Act One, Summit 35 35, Bill Titus, Newport, RI, USA - 5, 5, 3, 5, 5, 4, 2, 3, [5] ; 27

J 105 (One Design - 6 Boats)
1. Little Booty, J 105 34', Jackson Benvenutti , Charlotte, NC, USA - 1, 1, 3, 3, 1, 1, 2, 4, [4] ; 12
2. Eclipse, J 105 34.5, Damian Emery, Shoreham, NY, USA - 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, [3] ; 12
3. Solaris, J 105 35, William Zartler, Houston, TX, USA - 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 4, 1, 1, [4] ; 15
4. Dead on Arrival, J 105 34.5, Joe Highsmith, Bluffton, SC, USA - 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3, 5, 3, [6] ; 29
5. Jaded, J 105 35, Peter Rugg, New York, NY, USA - 6, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, [6] ; 33

PHRF A (PHRF - 6 Boats)
1. Dauntless, Beneteau First 47.7 48', Don Terwilliger, Charleston, SC, USA - 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 3, [3] ; 10
2. Emocean, J 120 40, Will Hanckel, Charleston, SC, USA - 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, [3] ; 11
3. theJacKaL, Beneteau First 40.7 40, John DeFilippo, West Chester, PA, USA - 5, 4, 4, 4, 2, 3, 3, 2, [5] ; 22
4. Illyria, J 120 40, John Keenan, Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 4, 4, 6, [6] ; 24
5. Moose Down, J 120 40', Rick Moore, Charleston, SC, USA - 4, 7/DNF, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, [7] ; 33

PHRF B (PHRF - 7 Boats)
1. Primal Scream, C&C 115 37.75, Steven M Stollman, Key Biscayne, FL, USA - 2, 5.5, 1, 2, 4, 2, 1, 1, [5.5] ; 13
2. Tangent, Cape Fear 38 38, Gerry Taylor, Pasadena, MD, USA - 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 3, [3] ; 14
3. Velocity, Cape Fear 38 38, Kent Mitchell, Bald Head Island, NC, USA - 3, 2, 5, 3, 1, 1, 2, 2, [5] ; 14
4. Arrow, J 35 35, Willy Schwenzfeier, Charleston, SC, USA - 4, 3, 3, 5, 2, 4, 4, 5, [5] ; 25
5. Hoodoo, J 109 35, Ric Campeau, Summerville, SC, USA - 5, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 4, [5] ; 31

PHRF C Sport (PHRF - 7 Boats)
1. Roxanne, Melges 32 32, Kip Meadows, Rocky Mount, NC, USA - 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, [1] ; 7
2. Black Ice, Melges 32 32, John Knoll, Pensacola, FL, USA - 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, [2] ; 14
3. Rented Mule, Viper 830 27, Bryan Taylor, Allen, TX, USA - 3, 3, 3, 3, 8/DNS, 8/DNC, 4, 3, [8] ; 27
4. Toy Tiger, FT 10 32.65, Kent Picknell, Crestwood, KY, USA - 4, 4, 8/DNC, 8/RAF, 3, 3, 3, 4, [8] ; 29
5. Wanda, Viper 830 27, Christian Jensen, Wilmette, IL, USA - 5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 5, 5, [5] ; 32

Tripp 26 (One Design - 7 Boats)
1. A Parent Tripp, Tripp 26 26, Harrison/ Yeigh, Annapolis, MD, USA - 1, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, [3] ; 10
2. Radio Flyer, Tripp 26 26, McMillan / Melville, Pensacola, FL, USA - 4, 3, 1, 1, 3, 2, 2, 2, [4] ; 14
3. Slapshot, Tripp 26 26, Tom Freeman, St. Thomas, ON, CAN - 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 1, [3] ; 15
4. GOIN', Tripp 26 26, Dennis Hannick, King George, VA, USA - 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, [4] ; 27
5. Zoom, Tripp 26 26, Mark Shannon, Oakville, ONT, CAN - 6, 6, 5, 7, 6, 5, 5, 5, [7] ; 38

PHRF D (PHRF - 6 Boats)
1. For Sail, J 29 MH 29, Jim Mackevich, Edison, NJ, USA - 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, [3] ; 11
2. Mighty Puffin, J 29 MH 29, Steve Thurston, Bristol, RI, USA - 2, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, [3] ; 13
3. Remedy, Donovan 27 27.5, Bert Carp, Annapolis, MD, USA - 3, 2, 1, 3, 4, 4, 2, 1, [4] ; 16
4. Mongo, J29-MH- outboard 29, Miles Martschink, Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 7/DNF, 7/DNS, 7/DNS, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, [7] ; 32
5. Gusto, Olson 30 30, Robert Scribner, Folly Beach, SC, USA - 4, 4, 7/DNS, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, [7] ; 33

PHRF E (PHRF - 7 Boats)
1. Wild Norwegian, LS 10 33.19, Arvid Eiesland, Glenview , IL, USA - 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1, 4, 4, [4] ; 14
2. Horizon, S2 7.9 25'11, Bob Fleck, Hardyville, VA, USA - 3, 2, 1, 2, 4, 5, 1, 1, [5] ; 14
3. Silver Surfer, T 10 33, Simon Beemsterboer, Mokena, IL, USA - 1, 3, 6, 3, 1, 3, 2, 2, [6] ; 15
4. Bad Dog, Mariah 27 27, John Chick, Lagrange Park, IL, USA - 6/SCP, 5, 2, 4, 3, 2, 3, 8/DNS, 5. Caribbean Soul 2, MAC 30 29.9, David McAleer, West Chester, PA, USA - 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 5, 3, [6] ; 33

PHRF F HDC (PHRF - 10 Boats)
1. Quintette, Sabre 38 38, Kenneth King, Charleston, SC, USA - 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, [2] ; 13
2. Kindred Spirit, Newport 41 41, David McSweeney, Mt Pleasant , SC, USA - 5, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 4, 5, [5] ; 17
3. Buena Vida, Sabre 362 36, David Rodarte, Columbia, SC, USA - 1, 4, 1, 11/DNF, 4, 11/DNS, 3, 1, [11] ; 25
4. Diana Sea, Alerion 38-2 38, Bernie Cignavitch, Charleston, SC, USA - 4, 3, 6, 4, 5, 8, 7, 7, [8] ; 36
5. Andiamo, Beneteau 35s5 35 ft, Dave Kowert, Mt Pleasant, SC, USA - 6, 6, 4, 6, 9, 6, 5, 4, [9] ; 37

PHRF G Non-Spinnaker (PHRF - 10 Boats)
1. Bliss, Alerion Express 38-2 38, Randy Brooks, Cincinnati, OH, USA - 2, 3, 1, 4, 1, 1, 2, 1, [4] ; 11
2. Suwannee, Stevens 50 50', Donald Michael, Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA - 6, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, [6] ; 16
3. Ibis, Sabre 38 38, Michael Kapp, Columbia, SC, USA - 9/SCP, 2, 5, 2, 3, 4, 1, 3, [9] ; 20
4. Pied-'a-Mer, Beneteau 411 41, Bernard M Schapiro, Johns Island, SC, USA - 1, 5, 2, 11/DNS, 6, 3, 5, 2, [11] ; 24
5. Night Star, PSC 34 34, Robert Louton, Hollidaysburg, PA, USA - 3, 4, 6, 5, 5, 5, 4, 6, [6] ; 32

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