Charleston Race Week Official Race Program 2021

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CHARLESTON RACE WEEK A P R I L

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C H A R L E S T O N R A C E W E E K . C O M

IN THIS RACE

YOU’LL CHASE THE WIND. AND PERHAPS THE RUM. Goslings is The Official Rum Sponsor of Charleston Race Week.

That means a Goslings rum cocktail is waiting for ever yone at the finish line.

Scan to visit the #HappyHappyHour microsite and enter to win a trip to Bermuda

For Eight Stubborn Generations

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SPONSORS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

CORPORATE SPONSORS

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

PATRON SPONSORS

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS

WELCOME TO ChARlESTON RACE WEEK

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elcome and thank you for attending our 25th edition of Charleston Race Week. We are incredibly excited about our ability to host Race Week this year and to see 2020 in the rearview mirror. It's great to see many new registrants, and we are looking forward to showing off our fabulous venue and city. Race week regulars know we listen to everyone to harvest innovative ideas and work hard to evolve the event each year. Our tag line is A Regatta Unlike Any Other, and this year, I believe, will exceed that.

We are hosting this event with a lot of faith and hope that everyone will respect our COVID protocols. We have put a lot of research, time, and sleepless nights into making this event happen. This event's priority has always been the racing quality, which is our focus more than ever this year. We have to be safe, and social gatherings and events aren't in the equation this year. The only way to be COVID 19 safe is by wearing a decent well-fitting mask and socially distancing.

We will have sanitizers and masks available and you will be asked to fill out a personal information form for contact tracing purposes only.

We will have an App that will act as a daily screening process to keep us all safe. Please make sure everyone on your team participates. It takes a small army of volunteers to stage an event of this scale, and we want to keep them safe as well as you, our customers.

It's important to know that everything offered at Charleston Race Week wouldn't be possible without our sponsors' strong support.

Quantum Sails has really allowed the event to step up its support of education and training. Goslings provides the magic that makes the day's celebration and stories just a bit livelier. This year, we have a new clothing sponsor from Team One Newport in the race village and online, bringing you the racing gear you need. Our host city, the Town of Mount Pleasant, and South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism also provide huge support. All of our sponsors contribute so much to the success of this event, so please show them your support.

As I mentioned previously, it takes a small army of volunteers, at the best of times. I wouldn't say this is the best of times, yet they are here to ensure that you have a great experience. We are all very fortunate to have this support, so remember to thank them. Masked and socially distanced, of course.

Ultimately it’s you the customer, that this event is all about. So, on behalf of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association members, I wish you the best of luck for a fun, SAFE, memorable regatta.

Thank you for attending!

Randy Draftz

Event Director Charleston Race Week

“Best regatta in America! So well run and best shore setting hands down!” © Priscilla Parker

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

Sponsors

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Schedule of Events

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Welcome Letter

Charleston Ocean Racing Association

Destination Charleston Dining Guide Area Maps

Safety Plan/Protocols

Harbor Traffic Information Hearing Guidelines

History of Charleston Race Week

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“Our sponsors contribute so much... please show them your support!”

2021 EVENT SChEDUlE

All events listed here are located in the Regatta Village at the Charleston harbor Resort & Marina. Shoreside Event Passes are required for those wishing to attend.

Thursday, April 8 1200-1700 1300

1700 1730-1745 1750

Registration packet pick-up at lookout Pavillion Informal practice racing on Circle 2 offered by Quantum and College of Charleston for M24 and J/70 (two practice starts and one race for each fleet, repeating, starting with M24), VhF 73 Practice Racing Debrief on Zoom with Cameron Appleton and Farley Fontenot Virtual Skippers’ Meeting on Zoom Quantum local Knowledge talk and Weather update

Friday, April 9 0730

0930 0930 1100 1700-1900 1800

live Weather Briefing on Zoom with Shea Gibson/SailFlow and Farley Fontenot/Quantum Sails Pursuit Class – First Warning Signal for 1st boat hybrid Pursuit Class – First Warning Signal for 1st boat Inshore (Circles 1, 2, 3 & 4) – First Warning Signal Event boxed dinners and Goslings Rum Party Pack Pick-up

Quantum Daily Virtual Debrief with Cameron Appleton, Farley Fontenot, Zack Clayton and Will Keyworth

Saturday, April 10 0730

0930 0930 1100 1700-1900 1800

live Weather Briefing on Zoom with Shea Gibson/SailFlow and Farley Fontenot/Quantum Sails Pursuit Class – First Warning Signal for 1st boat hybrid Pursuit Class – First Warning Signal for 1st boat Inshore (Circles 1, 2, 3 & 4) – First Warning Signal Event boxed dinners and Goslings Rum Party Pack Pick-up Quantum Daily Virtual Debrief with Cameron Appleton, Farley Fontenot, Zack Clayton and Will Keyworth

Sunday, April 11

0730-0930 0730

0930 0930 1100 1700-1800

Event Breakfast pick-up live Weather Briefing on Zoom with Shea Gibson/SailFlow and Farley Fontenot/Quantum Sails Pursuit Class – First Warning Signal for 1st boat hybrid Pursuit Class – First Warning Signal for 1st boat Inshore (Circles 1, 2, 3 & 4) – First Warning Signal Awards Ceremony, Winners Only

PROTECT AGAINST COvID-19 Please work with us to keep regatta participants and guests safe and healthy.

Face coverings must be worn on the hotel grounds (inside and out), throughout the regatta village, parking areas and on docks at all times. keep socially distanced!

SkIPPER/BOAT OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES

The person in charge of the boat is responsible for: • The cleanliness and sanitation of the boat prior to the boarding of crew members; providing hand sanitizer on the boat, to include requiring hand sanitizing before boarding; having disinfecting sprays or wipes and for regularly sanitizing equipment and frequently touched surfaces.

© Meredith Block

CORA SAIlING’S lIFEBlOOD IN ChARlESTON

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n behalf of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA), I would like to welcome you to the 25th annual Charleston Race Week and our beautiful city!

Charleston, SC is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, architecture, culture, amazing food and true gift for hospitality and plenty of charm! Founded in 1670, it is also home to hundreds of years of history and is still constantly reinventing itself.

Charleston Race Week is our opportunity to showcase all that Charleston has to offer including world-class sailboat racing on challenging, well managed courses. This international regatta has grown to the largest keelboat regatta in North and South America and CORA is very proud of that accomplishment.

© Priscilla Parker

This event would not be possible without sponsors as well as the tireless support of our volunteers and Event Director, Randy Draftz, so please be sure and thank them! They have been working throughout the year to ensure the very best experience for our participants with safety as a number one priority.

For those that have raced with us before, welcome back. To our first timers, get ready for an exciting ride and a great time! We thank you for your enthusiastic participation in the 25th annual Charleston Race Week! We look forward to seeing you on the water!

May the wind always be at your back,

Margaret Conway-hekker CORA Commodore Charleston Ocean Racing Association Commodore@charlestonoceanracing.com

CHARLESTON RACE WEEK GIVES BACK Charleston Race Week is a non-profit event that supports many worthwhile causes engaged in the sport of sailing.

• US Sailing’s STEM Education Series utilizes sailing as an educational platform, challenging youth to embrace education and explore productive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math based careers (STEM).

Combining educators, sailing instructors, engineers, and scientists with today’s youth provides them with a one of a kind authentic learning experience.

• College of Charleston Sailing Team Donor support has helped CofC become a top-ranked college sailing team.

• Warrior Sailing Program - Getting military service members on the water provides physical, mental and emotional therapy for a variety of injuries and illness. The Warrior Sailing Team won their fleet at SCRW 2017!

• Sailors for the Sea - SCRW has established a sustainability program and, with the help of our Green Team, regatta participants and sponsors, we consistently achieve Gold level Certification in the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas Program.

• Charleston Community Sailing - provides Additional programs supported: access, facilities and sailing instruction to • Local High School Sailing people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and • Local Yacht Club Junior Sailing Programs physical abilities. The programs engage lives • South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association by building character and instilling a sense of Race committee training accomplishment. This organization also supports the S.C. Special Olympics Sailing Team.

DESTINATION ChARlESTON

voted the No. 1 Destination City in the U.S. by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

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vIBRANT CULTURAL OFFERINGS

RENOWNED CULINARY AND NIGHTLIFE SCENE

Charleston is more than just a beloved city, it is home to five beautiful beach towns, each with its own distinctive character.

ne of North America’s most architecturally significant destinations, Charleston sits on a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Conceived as a “great port town,” Charleston was married to the sea from the start. local maritime history began when the first colonists sailed into the harbor in 1670.

Captivating and walkable, Charleston attracts people from around the world for its cosmopolitan aura, preservation of history, cultural diversity, and exceptional culinary and shopping delights.

Named one of the world’s 10 Best Delicious Destinations by Travelocity, Charleston is an epicure’s dream. From hidden gems serving up local flavor to five-star spots with innovative menus, Charleston is home to a volume of world-class dining normally associated with cities five times its size. Today’s chefs are inspired by nature, harvesting from the region’s estuaries, rich with shrimp, fish, crabs and oysters, and marshlands Charleston also has an invigorating nightlife scene, with a wide choice of quaint historic pubs, music venues, and bars.

SHOPPING MECCA

From the famous King Street Shopping District to specialty shops along Market and East Bay Streets, you can find everything from trinkets and jewelry, collectibles and antiques, to contemporary and high fashion.

Charleston has developed a reputation as an international cultural destination. With more than 500 live performances annually, high energy festivals, popular gallery walks and outdoor concerts, the opportunity to experience theatrical, musical magic exists every day. The area is also home to many wonderful museums.

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

• Sullivan's Island - A warm and welcoming seaside village that sits proudly at the mouth of the Charleston harbor.

• Isle of Palms - here you will find a 1,500-acre resort, two championship golf courses and a marina.

• Folly Beach - An eclectic, laid back beach community just 15 minutes from downtown Charleston.

• Kiawah Island - A 10,000-acre barrier island with 10 miles of uninterrupted beaches, world-class golf and an acclaimed resort.

• Seabrook Island - This 2,200-acre tranquil, private island offers championship golf, a deep-water marina, and horseback riding.

CHARLESTONRACEWEEK.COM 7

WHERE TO DINE IN MT. PlEASANT

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WHERE TO DINE

IN AND AROUND ChARlESTON

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KILLER SANDWICHES SOON TO BE FAMOUS ESPRESSO MARTINI HAPPY HOUR LIVE MUSIC • OUTDOOR SEATING

Executive Chef Alec Gropman FR I DAY – S UNDAY • 8A M–2P M 587 K I NG S TR EET • CHA R L ES TON, S C • 843. 793. 1837

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South Carolina's Oldest Brewery OVER 30 TAPS Gobble Gobble Burgers OnSite TOURS & TASTINGS AVAILABLE

LIVE MUSIC 289 HUGER STREET 843-937-0903 CHARLESTONRACEWEEK.COM 9

AREA MAPS 5.

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Featured Mt. Pleasant, Sullivans Island, Isle of Palms and James Island Restaurants and Businesses 15. Butcher & the Boar - 730 Coleman Blvd.

16. Royall Ace hardware - 883 Ben Sawyer Blvd.

17. Shem Creek Crab house - 508 Mill St. 18. The Beach Club and Fish house - Chas. harbor Resort

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Maps Courtesy of Charleston Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

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Pleasant, N. Charleston & West Ashley outside of map area.)

5. Palmetto Brewing Co. - 289 huger St. 6. The Wine Shop of Charleston - 3 lockwood Dr.

Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Yacht Brokerage 7. Carolina Yacht Club - 50 East Bay St. 8. Charleston harbor Resort & Marina 9. Charleston Yacht Club - 17 lockwood Dr. 10. City Marina & - 17 lockwood Dr. and Ashley Yachts, 3 lockwood Dr. 11. Columbus St. Terminal - 30 Johnson St. (launch/haul) 12. James Island Yacht Club - 734 Wampler Dr. 13. Remley’s Point Boat Ramp - end of 5th Avenue 14. Trailer Parking - Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park

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Featured Charleston Peninsula and James Island Restaurants and Businesses 1. Bodega - 587 King St. 2. Charleston Crab house - 41 S. Market St. 3. Charleston Crab house - 145 Wappoo Creek Dr., JI 4. East Bay Deli - 334 East Bay St. (locations also in Mt.

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SAFETY PlAN

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ELCOME TO 2021 CHARLESTON RACE WEEk. This plan is to ensure that you and your crew have a safe and enjoyable regatta. We ask that you share this plan with your entire crew so that they might be prepared in case of an emergency.

While Charleston Race Week will make every reasonable effort to provide a safe environment, competitors are reminded that all persons competing do so at their own risk and are solely responsible for their own safety.

Charleston Race week has a Medical Director and medical personnel from Roper St. Francis healthcare available during the regatta. They will oversee all medical emergencies both on and off the water.

On the water, two (2) teams of medical personnel will be patrolling the race courses in designated safety boats. One (1) team will be located on the offshore courses and the other team in the harbor for the inshore courses. Each safety boat will consist of a paramedic, registered nurse and emergency kits including a spine board and heart defibrillator.

Additional equipment will be located on shore in EMS vehicles.

The medical team will evaluate the severity of any injury and attempt to treat minor injuries on the water while seriously injured persons will be moved to shore for treatment.

PROTECT AGAINST COvID-19

Face coverings must be worn on the hotel grounds (inside and out), throughout the regatta village, parking areas and on docks at al times. keep socially distanced!

RACING

For emergencies on the water, hail “The PRO on your race course” on the VHF channel assigned.

© Priscilla Parker

If able, immediately also call the

Medical Officer at (843) 345-2040.

Stay calm and be ready to identify the following: • Your Boat Name, Hull Color and Sail Number • Your Location • Nature of the Injury • Crew Members Name and Information The PRO will call the medical team either by vHS or telephone and help will be on its way.

For an emergency on land, contact the

Event Director at (843) 628-5900 who will get one of the medical teams to evaluate and treat the individual.

THANKS FOR RACING AND PLEASE STAY SAFE!

WELCOME TO CHARLESTON!

COURSES

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As sailors and competitors in Sperry Charleston Race Week, we have been

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helping Mariner’s for over 42 Years!

(843) 884-2551 883 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mt. Pleasant THE START

CHARLESTONRACEWEEK.COM 11

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HARBOR TRAFFIC ThINGS TO KNOW

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12 2021 CHARLESTON RACE WEEK

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elcome to the Port of Charleston. Our deep water and world-class ship terminals comprise the nation’s 9th largest seaport, and our beautiful harbor is one of the nationʼs largest sailing venues. In a typical year, Charleston attracts well over 2000 ship calls, and 2,000 starts on sailing courses.

Thatʼs no coincidence. Our harbor is central to our way of life, as a prosperous gateway for commerce, as our setting for sportsmanship and recreation, and as a fitting venue for competition amongst the best sailors in the world!

Preventing incidents between ships and boats is therefore one of our continual concerns. Sharing the harbor requires constant attention to the rules of the road and the rules of racing.

Racers have a distinct maneuvering advantage over ships. Ships are fairly predictable, because they’re confined to the channels. While there are shallow areas of the harbor, sailboats are far less restricted. From the shipʼs perspective, sailboats can appear to be fairly random.

While pilots understand racing and race courses, Race Week is a series of courses each with a series of fleets. What’s going on in your fleet and your race is quite apparent to you, but what’s going on across the entire waterway is much more difficult to assess.

Anytime youʼre near a ship, or crossing a channel in sight of a ship, or sailing along the edge of the channel ahead of a ship, call the ship on channel 13 or 16 VhF and broadcast your intentions. The pilot will appreciate it. If you canʼt see the name of the ship, simply call the “inbound” or “outbound” ship in “the lower harbor,” for example, and tell him what youʼre up to. Use your sail number as an identifier, and the ship will know exactly who you are.

Charleston now handles the largest ships trading on the East Coast, carrying more than 14,000 containers. Our container berths are continually turning over, and therefore, when you see one container ship coming in, there’s probably one just around the bend coming out.

Two ships meeting in the channel is a precise maneuver, and getting too close to this is dangerous for everyone involved. Frequent places here for ships to pass each other are right off the Yorktown, near the Anchorage, near Fort Sumter, and through the jetties and all the way out to the Entrance Buoy 13 miles offshore.

Passing ships need the entire channel. In these areas, particularly, please take advantage of the deep water outside the buoys.

Vigilance while sailing to the course or back into the harbor is just as important as when racing. The few close calls we’ve had were most often when racers were coming back into the harbor after a full day of racing. Along the entrance channel, when in sight of a ship, please sail outside of the buoy line, especially between the jetties. Under no circumstances

should you try to take the middle between two passing ships. The ships will induce turbulence and wind shifts between them that will not work in your favor.

This may seem like common sense, but it wasnʼt to one racer a few years ago.

Race courses can and may cross a channel.

Even if the course doesnʼt, the favored tack may. When approaching and crossing channels, make sure youʼre aware of approaching ships, and their tugs, and observe Rule 9 when in sight of a ship. Rule 9 obliges smaller vessels to give way to vessels confined to the channel.

There is nowhere in Charleston harbor where a Race Week entrant is restricted to the same channels the ships are, so the ship is always going to be privileged.

Please also remember that ships are just as confined to the channel outside the harbor as they are inside the harbor. Rule 9 applies all the way to the “C" buoy 13 miles offshore.

Ships tend to go faster than most assume, up to 22 knots in the offshore channel, and up to 15 knots in the harbor. If you see a ship coming, plan on it getting to you faster than you think.

If you must cross the channel when in sight of a ship, remember that the ship has a blind spot 1/4 mile ahead. If you canʼt see the windows on the bridge of the ship, the ship canʼt see you. Shipboard radar has roughly the same blind spot. If your entire boat cannot be seen by the pilot during the entire time youʼre crossing the channel ahead of the ship, you are way too close.

Remember also that sailing has its unexpected moments. If you pop a halyard or foul your sheets and canʼt tack when you planned, youʼll want plenty of time to get things sorted out

and still stay clear of the ship. Please maintain a buffer to allow for the unexpected.

The most unpredictable maneuver you’re likely to observe is when a ship is going into or out of the anchorage. The anchorage is just north of Fort Sumter, nearby the inshore courses. If you see a ship slowing down or making any turns in this area, the ship may be anchoring. Please familiarize yourself with anchorage “A” on the chart, and if you’re unsure of what a ship is doing, stay clear and call it on channel 13 or 16.

Another rule of thumb is, if youʼre considering using a ship to gain an advantage over a competitor, youʼre too close. Set the example for everyone around you with prudent tactics.

You may see a ship with a Coast Guard escort. In these cases, expect the Coast Guard to keep you up to 500 yards from the ship. Plan ahead, and heed the Coast Guardʼs warnings if you didnʼt plan well enough. A Coast Guard boarding will slow you down a lot more than an extra couple of tacks.

Many of Charlestonʼs harbor pilots are racers themselves, and we’re very proud of the success of Race Week. Many of the pilots that are working would rather be on the course with you. We hope during Race Week, the ships are nothing more than part of the ambiance of the harbor. We are so pleased to have you here adding to the ambiance of our homeport!

Sail safe, sail fast, and enjoy Charleston!

John Cameron, Executive Director of the harbor Pilots Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) lightning #14266 843-693-3557 JCameron@CharlestonPilots.com

HEARING GUIDELINES FOR COMPETITORS

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lease be aware that protest and redress hearings conducted pursuant to the rules of RRS Part 5, Section B [hearings & Decisions], that arbitrations conducted in accordance with the rules of Appendix T [Arbitration] to the RRS, and that misconduct hearings conducted pursuant to the rules of RRS Part 5, Section (Misconduct] shall be conducted virtually using Zoom. It is, therefore, required that people participating in these hearings and meetings [parties, party representatives in misconduct hearings, and witnesses] have access to a device that has internet accessibility with audio and video capability. If someone participating does not have such a device, s/he will have to obtain access to and use of such a device from another person or have another person appear before the hearing panel/arbitrator in his/her place and stead in the case of protests or redress requests. If a person appearing before the hearing panel does not know how to use such a device, s/he can have someone else set the device up so audio and video is in use for the person participating.

Information about Zoom is available on its website: https://zoom.us; it is available for computers, iPads, and mobile phones. Note that people participating in virtual hearings and arbitration meetings must use audio and video to appear before a hearing panel unless otherwise advised by the hearing panel. If a party or witness does not comply with this rule, the hearing panel may nevertheless decide the protest or request for redress as if the person did not come to the hearing [See RRS 63.3(b)], or take such action as is provided in rule 69 for a misconduct hearing [See RRS 69.2(f) and 69.2(k)].

In addition, virtual Hearings will be conducted in accordance with the instructions provided below, a copy of which will be provided to the parties when a case is filed:

1. On the date of the hearing, and at least 10 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin, the parties, party representatives for misconduct hearings, and any witness a party intends to have testify during the hearing, are to join the virtual meeting.

2. All parties, party representatives for misconduct hearings, and witnesses who will participate in a hearing are to have access to, and the use of, a device [computer, iPad, or mobile phone] that has internet accessibility with audio and video capability with Zoom.

3. The parties to a virtual hearing are responsible for having their witnesses, if any, and party representatives for misconduct hearings, present in the virtual meeting at least 10 minutes before the time of the hearing on the date of the hearing.

4. At that time, the hearing panel will tell everyone what the procedure will be for having parties, party representatives for misconduct hearings, and witnesses participate in the hearing. Note: Parties and witnesses must be in separate locations when party testimony is being given: if a witness is present when party testimony is being given, the witness will not be permitted to testify.

5. No audio or video recording of the hearing is to be made by anyone other than the hearing panel; the hearing panel will advise the parties if a recording of the proceeding will be made.

6. Parties, party representatives for misconduct hearings, and witnesses must use audio and video to appear before a hearing panel unless advised otherwise by the hearing panel.

7. Parties and witnesses shall not communicate or share information with anyone other than the hearing panel by any means or technology during the pendency of the hearing except to testify or question a party or a witness.

vIRTUAL ARBITRATIONS will be conducted in accordance with Appendix T and the instructions below:

1. On the date of the arbitration, and at least 5 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin, the parties [one per boat], are to join the virtual meeting.

© Priscilla Parker

2. All parties who will participate in an arbitration are to have access to, and use of, a device [computer, IPad, or mobile phone] that has internet accessibility with audio and video capability with Zoom.

3. At that time, the arbitrator will tell everyone what the procedure will be for having parties participate in the arbitration.

4. No audio or video recording of the arbitration is to be made by anyone.

5. Parties must use audio and video to appear before the arbitrator.

6. Parties shall not communicate or share information with anyone other than the arbitrator by any means or technology during the pendency of the arbitration except to testify.

7. A party who accepts a scoring penalty in arbitration shall send an email to the address below stating that s/he does so. A party withdrawing a protest shall send an email to protest@charlestonraceweek.com stating that s/he does so.

A limited number of computers will be set up for the parties, party representatives for misconduct hearings, and any witness a party intends to have testify during the hearing, that do not have access to audio and video devices. These will be located in the Commodore’s Room in the hotel. They are for use by the parties and witness during a hearing only and not available at any other time. At least 15 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin, the parties, party representatives for misconduct hearings, and any witness intending to testify during the hearing, are to be present in the area on the hotel Terrace assigned to the hearing.

Code of Conduct for Remote Hearings

All participants are expected to behave according to the principles of sportsmanship required by our sport. We thank you in advance for your Corinthian conduct.

In addition, while the hearing is in session:

• A party or witness shall not record, transmit or convey audio or video of the hearing. Individual screen captures of scenario images are permitted for your records only.

• A party or witness must ensure to the best of their ability that they are not being observed or overheard by anyone who may have an interest in the proceedings.

• A party shall not communicate or share information with anyone outside of the hearing, by any means or technology.

• A party shall not communicate or share information with a witness, except when the witness is giving testimony before the Protest Committee. A party or witness who breaks an element of this Code risks being found in breach of principles of good sportsmanship and ethical behavior (see RRS 69.1(b)).

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RACE WEEK HISTORY CElEBRATING 25 YEARS!

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harleston Race Week isn’t just one of the largest sailboat competitions in the U.S. It’s also one of the most venerable mega-regattas. Though other sailing competitions in this country have endured much longer than 25 years, there are few this size that claim the same longevity.

Dating to 1996, this regatta is entirely homegrown. It was established when the directors of Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA) stepped up to help their fellow sailors from the South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association (SAYRA) find a home for their annual offshore championship. At the time, this was a marriage of convenience, but through the years, that arrangement has led to one of the premier sailing events in the country.

THE GENESIS

At their annual membership meeting in January, 1996, the leaders of SAYRA shared that they were looking for clubs in the region to host the annual SAYRA Offshore Championships. CORA’s directors had been orchestrating the Palmetto Cup – a yearly PhRF championship for sailors in and around Charleston – for four years. In the process, they had built a strong rapport with two local yacht clubs, the Charleston Yacht Club and the Carolina Yacht Club. led by then-Commodore Brian Swan, CORA’s leaders felt that they could combine SAYRA’s event with their own and make both more exciting. “Combining it with the Palmetto Cup,” recalls Swan, “was our way of attracting more participants and breathing new life into both regattas.”

Swan and his fellow directors had a plan. They would use this opportunity to develop an event modeled on that era’s premier regatta in the U.S. – Key West Race Week. So, they scheduled back-to-back weekend regattas that summer, which they promoted as one large event. The initial announcement for “The First Annual Charleston Race Week” (June 28th – July 6th) stated that SAYRA, CORA, the Charleston Yacht Club and the Carolina Yacht Club, along with Pusser’s Rum, were joining forces to “put together the ideal PhRF Regatta.” That inaugural edition of Race Week combined four events: the Palmetto Cup, the SAYRA Offshore Championship, CORA’s Wednesday Night Fun Race, and the J/24 District 8 Championship.

Promotion for Race Week was primarily conducted using fliers sent via snail mail. Despite the lack of digital outreach, 57 boats registered and competed in that seminal event. The on-shore hospitality was staged at the Carolina Yacht Club, and Pusser’s provided the libations. When it came time for the awards, Charleston’s Marc Durlach and crew on board his lindenberg 28 Fearless walked away with the SAYRA Offshore Championship, narrowly defeating Swan and his team of mostly teenagers on board his J/29 Rocketeer. The Palmetto Cup was awarded to Joe Baggett’s team on board his Melges 24 Alpha Wolf.

“The regatta served as a clear example of the growing excitement and dedication within the Charleston sailing community.”

14 2021 CHARLESTON RACE WEEK

In the August CORA newsletter that year, Commodore Swan described Race Week as “a true success.” he singled out the “enthusiasm and support displayed throughout the event,” and suggested that the regatta served “as a clear example of the growing excitement and dedication within the Charleston sailing community.”

And so, Race Week was born.

1996-2021

© Holy City Helicopters

THROUGH THE YEARS

It was always in the agenda to grow this new event and make it attract racers from beyond the South Atlantic region. In 1997, the organizers convinced Beneteau USA to become the presenting sponsor. To drive participation, the boatbuilder offered a raffle prize for regatta entrants that included two all-expense-paid tickets to the Paris Nautic Boat Show in France. According to the organizers, a few owners registered, hoping to win the trip, never intending to race.

In 1999, CORA’s leaders decided to make a pivotal move. They rescheduled Race Week, moving it from the midsummer timeslot to early spring, and condensed the proceedings to just one weekend. The reasoning was that competitors would benefit from more consistent winds at that time of year, and the event would more easily attract transient teams returning to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions after competing in the Caribbean winter race circuit. That first springtime edition of Race Week attracted more than 70 boats with a substantial number of entries from outside the region.

Reprinted from

Race Week will decide yacht title ■ PUSSER”S CUP AT STAkE

By Jeff Donaldson July 4, 1996 When Pusser’s Landing moved to Charleston and opened a restaurant here three months ago, sailing enthusiasts were happy to hear they’d brought their baggage along.

A long-time sponsor of major ocean yacht racing events around the world with its offering of the Pusser’s Cup, the restaurant chain has a hand in many prominent races, including one held in the Virgin Islands each season.

July, 1996 PHRF Start The second part of the Inaugural Charleston Race Week, sponsored in part by Pusser’s, along with the Charles Ocean Racing Association and the Charleston and Carolina Yacht Clubs, gets underway today in the waters off of Charleston.

The South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association Offshore Championships will feature more than 50 boats from all over the U.S. participating in three days of races. This weekend’s results will be combined with last weekend’s Palmetto Cup results to determine the winner of the Pusser’s Cup. According to CORA chairman and Carolina Yacht Club vice-commodore Ryan Hamm, combining the inaugural Pusser’s race with the SAYRA event to create a Race Week has helped encourage some of the best sailors to attend. “We expect the success of this year’s event will have even more participating in the years to come,” Hamm said. “You can see it even in our Race Week parties. We expected 200 people. We’ve been getting over 350.”

© Priscilla Parker

The J/70 class has grown exponentially over the years.

Incremental growth of the regatta during those early years prompted CORA’s leaders to consider a new approach. They decided that volunteer management was no longer feasible, so they began seeking help. In 2005, they met with Brad and Meaghan Van liew, who were co-executive directors of the South Carolina Maritime heritage Foundation (later to be rebranded as the South Carolina Maritime Foundation). A contract was struck between the foundation, which would manage the shoreside aspects of the regatta (including sponsor procurement) and CORA, which would continue to administer the on-the-water aspects. The foundation would also reap a benefit from the regatta’s proceeds and apply those funds toward completing the construction of its 140-foot wooden tall ship, the Spirit of South Carolina.

“having the foundation involved as the organizer and benefactor of Charleston Race Week is truly a win-win scenario,” said hank hofford at the time. he’s a local sailor and prominent real estate developer who was then chairman of the foundation’s board. “Our organization has the staff to handle the many administrative aspects of this event, as well as the marketing expertise to help the regatta grow and maintain its sound financial footing. And having the foundation involved should be attractive to current and prospective sponsors because now these businesses aren’t just supporting a sailing event, they’re also backing a very worthwhile educational endeavor.”

led by longtime Charleston resident, racing sailor and CORA director lyn Swan, in 2006 the organizers secured $20,000 in sponsorship support from Seabrook Island Resort, which became the presenting sponsor for two years. “When we walked into their office on King St. to make the ask,” recalls Swan, “we had no idea what would happen. After a brief meeting, we walked out stunned. The company agreed right away to jump in and support Race Week. That was huge because it allowed us to advertise the event to a larger audience.” At the same time, the Van liews were leveraging their sponsorship contacts and applying their professional expertise. The ensuing years saw increased growth as regatta attendance crept from 149 entries in 2007 to 193 in 2010. During that time, trailerable one-design classes were cementing their participation and becoming the core of Race Week. Melges 24s, J/24s and Viper 640s became staple classes. One year featured a strong turnout of Etchells 22s. And classes such as the Melges 20, J/80 and Tripp 26 began attending in strong numbers as well. By 2012, Race Week attendance had surpassed 252 boats. © Priscilla Parker

Continued on Page 16

CHARLESTONRACEWEEK.COM 15

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Several important developments took place early in this era. In 2006, the organizers opted to stage the event out of a new location – the Charleston harbor Resort & Marina in Mt. Pleasant, just across the harbor from peninsular Charleston - where it is still held today. It’s truly one of the top regatta venues in the country.

Dan Machowski, a local racing sailor and high school coach who competed in the first two editions of Race Week and soon thereafter became its official scorer, serves as the event’s unofficial historian. he has retained documents, photographs, notes and anecdotes that help map out details of the regatta’s history. he notes the curious fact that this regatta is one of the few that can claim sponsorship by three separate rum distillers. “We had Pusser’s for the first two years,” he says, “and then Mt. Gay became our rum sponsor and that lasted up until 2007 when the Van liews brought in Goslings Rum. Goslings has been a tremendous supporter every year since.”

THE CONTEMPORARY ERA

By 2012, South Carolina Maritime Foundation was beginning to diminish its activities due to mounting debts incurred via the construction and maintenance of its tall ship and its staff had shrunk significantly. CORA’s leaders had to look elsewhere for someone to manage Race Week, so they turned to local racing sailor and yacht chandler Randy Draftz. Draftz had been involved in helping manage the event as a volunteer. For several years, he had served as race director. In 2012, CORA’s leaders orches-

COME RACE WITH US!

© Meredith Block

trated a contract with Draftz making him the overall event director. Right out of the gate, Draftz doubled down on the Van liew’s practice of finetuning the event each year so that its on-shore offerings remained fresh and provided good value for all participants. he used his industry contacts to attract additional one design classes and offshore entries and began importing top-tier race officers. he also worked closely with CORA’s leaders to cultivate a dedicated steering committee and grow the volunteer corps that is so vital to the regatta’s success. Under Draftz’s stewardship, Race Week has expanded to include ORC entries, four inshore racing circles, a pursuit race format and a Pro-Am exhibition, among other innovations. he has also helped bring various class championships to Race Week (the J/24 and Melges 24 Nationals among them). Part of “What I love his strategy has included traveling to most about industry boat shows and conferences Charleston Race Week to represent and promote Race Week – nationally and internationally.

“Randy has done a phenomenal job of shepherding this regatta,” says Dr. Willie Schwenzfeier, a retired Charleston physician who has competed in every edition of the event.

“What I love most about Charleston Race Week is that it has the right temperament. People come here to have fun and enjoy sailboat racing in its purest form. There is a great vibe about the regatta and everyone gets along great.”

is that it has the right temperament. People come here to have fun and enjoy sailboat racing in its purest form. There is a great vibe about the regatta and everyone gets along great.”

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© Priiscilla Parker

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