Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

Sperry Charleston Race Week 2020 cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns

by Bill Wagner 19 Mar 2020 06:37 AEDT 23-26 April 2020
2019 Sperry Charleston Race Week © CRW / Zerogradinord

Sperry Charleston Race Week has built a reputation as one of the world's greatest regattas by consistently delivering excellence both on and off the water.

Over the past week, it became clear to organizers it would be difficult to replicate the quality Sperry Charleston Race Week experience sailors have come to expect. That is due to the unprecedented situation surrounding the novel coronavirus and the numerous safety precautions being put in place by various municipalities.

After much thoughtful consideration and deliberation, event director Randy Draftz has announced that Sperry Charleston Race Week 2020 has been cancelled. This would have been the regatta's 25th anniversary and Draftz was unwilling to commemorate that milestone by running an event that was compromised in any way.

"It is with great regret that due to current circumstances created by the coronavirus we are having to cancel our event," Draftz said. "It's incredible what we are all experiencing at this time, and our health has to come first."

Sperry Charleston Race Week 2020 was scheduled for April 23-26 with headquarters based, as always, at Charleston Harbor and Resort in Mount Pleasant. After discussions with various stakeholders along with local government officials, it became apparent to Draftz that restrictions put in place nationwide and in the state of South Carolina would make it almost impossible to conduct a major four-day regatta during that time period.

Draftz explored the possibility of postponing Sperry Charleston Race Week 2020 in order to buy time for the situation to stabilize, but it became obvious quite quickly that option would not work.

"Frankly, the event's scale doesn't allow for a postponement, so we will just have to wait until April 8th through April 11th, 2021," Draftz said. Please save the date and rest assured that the 25th anniversary celebration will surpass your expectations of this great event! Draftz noted that organizers already have some significant activations starting to set up.

Draftz said registered boat owners have two choices regarding their entry fee. Skippers can apply this year's entry fee to next year's regatta or can receive a refund through PayPal. Competitors are asked to notify the organizing authority of their decision either via email to .

"We apologize for not being able to host this year's Sperry Charleston Race Week, but believe me there is no way we could have made this event happen in the format and quality you have grown to expect," Draftz said. "It's going to be quite a spring for our sport. Use this time wisely and be ready for when the nation exits this event. Very much looking forward to seeing everyone next year and thank you for standing by us in the toughest of times."

More information at charlestonraceweek.com.

Related Articles

52 Super Series 2025 Porto Cervo day 3
Sled lead in Porto Cervo and have slashed American Magic's circuit lead in chase for the title The strong Mistral breeze on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda dropped away nicely today and three good, highly competitive races were completed, bringing the 52 SUPER SERIES - Porto Cervo - Range Rover regatta back to schedule. Posted on 25 Sep
Melges 24 Worlds 2025 at Trieste, Italy Day 3
Light winds compress the standings in Trieste The 2025 Melges 24 World Championship, organized by Yacht Club Adriaco in collaboration with the International Melges 24 Class Association and with the support of the Italian Melges 24 Class, continues in something of a slow-motion rhythm. Posted on 25 Sep
A true attraction for non-French skippers
Hard work, training, and perseverance in the 56th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec The excellence of the French solo racing pathway is increasingly attracting non-French skippers who want to come, learn, and train in a discipline that, for now, remains very French. Posted on 25 Sep
Last Chance to Complete 2x25 Survey
As Early Results Highlight Inequities Early responses to The Magenta Project's 2x25 survey reveal encouraging signs of progress on representation alongside systemic barriers that continue to hold sailing and the wider marine industry back. Posted on 25 Sep
RS21 Worlds 2025 at Porto Rotondo, Sardinia Day 1
49 boats and over 200 sailors from 13 nations are taking part The RS21 World Championship is back at Yacht Club Porto Rotondo, with 49 boats and over 200 sailors from 13 nations ready to battle it out for one of the most competitive titles in one-design keelboat racing. Posted on 25 Sep
2025 Six Metre World Championship Day 3
Bribon and Momo II rise to the top at Long Island A lack of sunshine didn't detract from the sparkle of the International Six Metre fleet on day three of their 2025 World Championships at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club on Long Island. Posted on 25 Sep
America's Cup: Ray Davies scouts Naples
Ray Davies of Emirates Team New Zealand recently made a vibrant stop in Naples, Italy Ray Davies of Emirates Team New Zealand recently made a "vibrant" stop in Naples, Italy, ahead of the upcoming Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, and was left in awe of both the city and its sailing conditions. Posted on 25 Sep
46th Cannes Royal Regatta day 3
When the planets are aligned... It was a phenomenal day in the bay of Cannes on Wednesday 24 September in a beautiful breeze from the south-west to the west. Posted on 24 Sep
Melges 24 Worlds 2025 at Trieste, Italy Day 2
Epic conditions give Nika the first lead The 2025 Melges 24 World Championship delivered its first results on Day 2. Posted on 24 Sep
2025 J/70 Corinthian Worlds at Massachusetts day 1
The regatta has moved to the United States for the first time Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts USA welcomed 29 all-amateur teams to the third annual J/70 Corinthian World Championship. Posted on 24 Sep
Selden 2020 - FOOTERVaikobi Custom TeamwearNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast