(Charleston, SC)- From April 10 to 13, the Charleston Harbor Marina
& Resort again plays host to one of the best one-design and handicap
race weeks in America. Taking place over a four day weekend, an
enormous navy of J’s are participating ranging from the sporty J/22s up
to the majestic J/122s. Fully 51% of the fleet are J/Teams (147 J’s in a
field of 287 boats). Racing takes place on three one-design circles
inshore and one PHRF handicap circle offshore.
The weather forecast looks promising, nearly postcard-perfect
weather, with winds out of the south from 8-15 kts each day, sunny skies
and minimal (for Charleston) currents. It’s no wonder Charleston
attracts so many fun-loving teams in late spring, with magnificent beach
parties each night, “JumboTron” video highlights of the day’s racing on
a massive 20 ft wide by 10 ft high screen, and daily awards with
world-class commentary from famous J/24 sailors like Ed Baird (an
America’s Cup winner on ALINGHI), it’s a hard program to beat. Plus,
rumor has it that a massive “drone strike” on the fleet may be happening
each day, with FPV video of teams “up close & personal” as they fly
around the race track.
While the action may be pretty hot inshore, it may be even hotter
offshore. Heading out the shipping channel past the famous Fort Sumter
(sight of the first shot that started the Civil War in America- ordered
by a Johnstone relative, no less), we find three PHRF classes loaded
with top J teams.
In PHRF A division there are four J/111s and two J/122s that will be
fighting “hammer & tong” to claim bragging rights atop the podium.
Many familiar faces from Key West will be there, including some class
newcomers. Key West Class winner, Rob & Ryan Ruhlman’s J/111
SPACEMAN SPIFF may be leading the charge for the 111s. They’re joined
by classmates KINETIC (Rob Stein), John Yonover’s EVONNE.COM/3 from Lake
Geneva YC, WI, and Doug Curtiss’s WICKED 2.0 from Buzzards Bay, MA.
Leading the J/122 charge for the top will be Robin Team’s J/122 TEAMWORK
from Lexington, NC, winner of just about everything offshore south of
the Mason-Dixon Line. Their classmate is Jack Gregg’s J/122 TAHAMURA
from Corinthian YC of Philadelphia, PA. For more Charleston Race Week sailing information
