(Charleston, SC)- Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week has a reputation
for consistent, solid breeze. In fact, Charleston’s great wind is one
of the big reasons this event has grown so spectacularly over the past
decade. It was on the eve of the regatta when most weather models
predicted big breeze for the start of racing on Friday, with Sunday
promising similarly apocalyptic conditions. And that is exactly what the
2013 edition received.
With the 287 teams scattered about on harbor and offshore courses, race
organizers were eager to seize the day, completing 3 to 4 races in
Friday’s 15-30 knot winds. Saturday’s moderate breezes and calm seas
allowed for some recovery, but it was another 3 to 4 race day to insure
each fleet was given the chance to sort out the pecking order in the
standings. With the podium positions far from certain, Sunday looked to
be the determining factor if not for one thing: the forecast. If
Friday’s winds were “monster”, there really wasn’t an appropriate
superlative to describe what happened Sunday morning. Rapidly increasing
winds and huge seas offshore (8 feet at the mouth of Charleston Harbor)
prompted the principal race officers to cancel all competition
offshore. Inshore, the race committees set up courses and attempted to
get races going on all three courses, but the action was quickly
cancelled for everyone.
Offshore,
the PHRF fleets were treated to some excellent sailing with the solid
10-18 kt southerly breezes on Friday and the moderate NNE winds on
Saturday.
Within PHRF A, the J/111s had a closely fought series amongst
themselves. In the end, Doug Curtiss' WICKED 2.0 prevailed with 24 pts
total as top J/111. Second was the rapidly improving FIREBALL from
Annapolis, MD sailed by Fast Eddie, Kristen Berry and crew. In their
first major outing in a tight racing fleet, Robert Stein's KINETIC was
third J/111, narrowly missing out second by one point!
Congratulations to all for job well done! Sailing photo credits- Meredith Block. For more Charleston Race Week sailing information
