RS21s on the start line of Charleston Race Week
by Vikki Payne, RS Sailing 4 Apr 2019 09:00 PDT
11-14 April 2019
RS21s ahead of Charleston Race Week © RS Sailing
The RS21s have made the 2,500 mile journey from the West coast of San Diego to the East coast, Charleston.
Preparation is under way for the 24th Charleston Race Week, the largest keelboat regatta in North America, which kicks off next week. The regatta was established in 1996 by members of Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA). The event consists of 3 days of spectacular racing hosted in both Charleston Harbour and offshore.
Charleston Harbour is known for providing a wide variety of conditions across its six race courses. The four race areas inside the harbour will offer just that and the peninsula of Charleston will host the other two race areas.
On the start line will be Jack Gierhart, the President of US Sailing, Scott Hardy, the owner of The Boat Locker, Mark McNamara of Lakewood Yacht Club, Dan Shanahan and his crew from Annapolis, Kevin Coughlin from New England Ropes and Bob Adams from Zim Sailing.
The seventh boat in the line up is the RS21 Junior Race Team will be making their debut at Charleston Race Week. This team is not lacking talent! Neil Walters who skippered the Red Bull Foiling Generation will be leading from the front. Gavin Parker is the youngest member of the team at just 15 years old, but his wealth of experience has grown since he represented USA in the Youth Americas Cup. Lucas Sawin not only crewed in the Red Bull Foiling Generation events but also qualified for the US Chubb Jr Championships. Finally, Connor Marion is building his experience in the M32 as a junior racer as well as in keelboats such as the J120 doing tactics or trim. Overall, a team to watch!
RS Sailings' own CEO Design and Technologies, Alex Newton-Southon, will be heading out to the US to join Jonas Berg, Seldon US, and his crew onboard one of the RS21s. "I am so thrilled to be involved with Charleston Race Week after such a successful event at the San Diego NOOD Regatta." He explained "To see six RS21s battling it out around a course made me so proud and I am looking forward to see how this class will develop and grow!"