Teams ready for battle at ORC Sportboat North American Championship at Charleston Race Week
by ORC 15 Apr 23:01 PDT
April 15-19, 2026
ORC Sportboat North American Championship at Charleston Race Week © Ty Baird
18 teams from the USA and Canada will start four days of competition in the inaugural ORC Sportboat North American Championship held as part of the 30th edition of Charleston Race Week.
This fleet is split into two classes that will each compete for North American Champion titles after having competed in two types of races: tomorrow's Distance race courses 16 or 20 miles and Windward/Leeward courses offered on Friday through Sunday. All races are held within picturesque Charleston Harbor.
Tomorrow's Distance Race will be an important test of this fleet that ranges in size and speed from Cape 31's and Melges 32's in Class A to GP 26's and Farr 30's in Class B. Race conditions look ideal with an expected 10-14 knot easterly sea breeze in the forecast.
"This distance race is an important feature for us,." said Matt Gallagher, Deputy Chairman of ORC. "'Offshore' is in our name, so we feel our championship events must include a race that demonstrates skills in navigation, strategy, sail selections and seamanship that are not normally tested in windward-leeward racing, We're appreciative of the flexibility of the organizers and enthusiasm shown by the teams in the strong turnout we have here at Charleston Race Week."
Favorites in Class A include Ian Hill's Cape 31 SITELLA, who raced his Melges 32 of the same name to a class win here in 2025 and is coming off a win in the Cape 31 at the Southernmost Regatta in Key West in January. Trey Sheehan's Melges 32 HOOLIGAN: FLAT STANLEY RACING is coming off an overall win in the 4-races of the SORC series in Florida and may also be carrying momentum into this event.
A returning champion in Class B is Mike Beasely, a multiple ORC inshore class winner at this event, who this year is competing on his J/80 BLACK SHEEP.
"Being the smallest and slowest-rated boat, we have to make sure we're in clear air for as long as we can," Beasley said. "Wind strength will be the determining factor. Its horses for courses and heavy air planing conditions will favor other boats."
For race results, media resources and more information on the ORC North American Sportboat Championship, visit www.charlestonraceweek.com and orc.org/sportboatnorthamericans2026.