Charleston Race Week preparations ramp up

by Charleston Race Week on 10 Apr 2011 279 boats take to the water for 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, preparations are ramping up to welcome the 2000 sailors and support personnel to the largest keelboat regatta in North America in more than five years.

Race Director Randy Draftz has his hands full, though he took time out last weekend to serve as a guest speaker at US Sailing's Yacht Club Summit in Chicago, IL. 'It was great to see Charleston Race Week recognized by the National Governing Body for the work everyone has done to turn this into such a successful event,' Draftz said. 'Hopefully the information I was able to share about what has worked for us will be used by others to help their events gain the popularity we enjoy.'

Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week stands out as much for its great racing and course management as it does for its shoreside entertainment, and like every year, 2011 builds on previous success to still greater heights. That will be the last chance to relax before the real fun begins. Wednesday night features a bang-up party at the infamous Salty Mike's Deck Bar just inches from the launch facilities at the Charleston Yacht Club. Sponsored by event sponsor West Marine, the party features a free keg of Yuengling beer, dinner bites, and door prizes totaling hundreds of dollars including a grand prize $250 gift certificate good at any West Marine store. The party starts at 6 PM and sailors are encouraged to show up early; space is limited and you have to be in the bar to win the prizes, which will be given out at 9 PM.

Thursday is a busy day of boat preparation and practice, with registration beginning at noon at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, the skipper's meeting at 5 PM in the Pavilion, and the all-important Tides & Currents Seminar at 6 PM also in the Pavilion and courtesy of local high school sailing coach and professional racer Michael Miller. Immediately following will be the legendary Opening Beach Party with live music by Two 3 Ways, light snacks, and an open beer and Gosling's bar.

Friday through Sunday will maintain the festivities with fierce competition on the water and shoreside activities each evening. Competitors can grab their complimentary bagel and coffee provided by Gill and Rising High Café on the marina docks on the way to the boat each morning, and they'll race back to the docks each afternoon for Bocci Ball and Cornhole tournaments while each day's beach party rages through the night.

Friday night provides the Lowcountry Feast and more of Gosling's famous rum brews while the tunes of NTRANZE fill up the beach. Saturday's party puts long time favorite soloist Calvin Taylor on stage while the Gosling's flows before racers have a chance to head to downtown Charleston to sample its world-famous restaurants. And the earlier finish on Sunday gives everyone a chance to stock up on Charleston Race Week's famous Chili and beer as they pack up their boats and make ready for an epic awards ceremony!

For the first time, Charleston Race Week will feature an exposition of some of sailing hottest boats right on the beach at event headquarters. For the junior sailors, the latest Optimist design will be on display from Layline. RS Sailboats is featuring their brand new RS-100 singlehanded, asymmetric spinnaker racer. And Mach 2 Boats has brought in one of the most exciting boats on the water; the blindingly fast, all carbon Mach 2 foiling Moth. Take some time to check out these amazing small boats and ask their representatives how you can test sail one soon!

Regardless of whether you own a traditional sailboat, offshore cruiser, club racer, high-tech dinghy or cutting edge racer, West's master riggers are ready to help. And with easy ordering, guaranteed quality and fast service, it's no wonder that sailors everywhere increasingly turn to West for the rigging they need!

West Marine's full rigging trailer will be on location at Charleston Race Week from Wednesday, April 14th through Sunday April 17th. Come meet the rigging team and find new ways to improve your boating experience! For more information, please check out westmarine.com/rigging

Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week's management is proud to welcome Rebootizer® Detox Shaker to the CRW family. Rebootizer was introduced to the US market in fall 2010 and has taken the beverage market by storm. The product's unique blend of fruit and plant extracts promotes health and wellness by integrating a regular regimen that naturally enhances the body's detox and digestive functions. Created in Switzerland after eight year's research, this potent antioxidant drink has quickly become the choice of athletes from kiteboarders to extreme volley ball players. So anyone, from athletes to executives, can play hard and sometimes party hard, but achieve peek performance the next day.

'Sailors' requisite passion, split-second timing and athleticism fits perfectly with our brand strategy of promoting active and healthy lifestyles,' states CEO Catherine Brandt. I am confident that after trying Rebootizer the Charleston Race Week participants will make it a regular choice before racing.'

While it's still a long way off in meteorological terms, long-range forecasts indicate likely temperatures for 2011 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week in the mid to high 70s, meaning that Charleston's reliable thermal sea breeze should be in full effect. The Atlantic's cooler water this year has intensified the thermal-driven wind lately, and local racers have been enjoying daily breeze in the teens and twenties as they prepare for the stellar visiting competition in the various racing classes.

North Sails encourages everyone to sign up for their detailed daily weather forecasts at the North Sails Event Weather Center. Reports will be made available via e-mail by 0730 daily. Register at http://bit.ly/i9ZTPX

http://www.charlestonraceweek.com