CAROLINA SAILING
Shining Like Silver Twenty-five years in the making, Sperry Charleston Race Week is anticipating its largest turnout ever. By Dan Dickison
T
hree. Two. One. Boom! When the starting cannons fire on Charleston Harbor in lateApril this year (April 23-26), chances are those reports will signal the largest gathering ever of sailboat racers in the Carolina Lowcountry. In fact, it may well be one of the largest gatherings ever of racers in the U.S. Sperry Charleston Race Week turns 25 this year, and its organizers are anticipating a mammoth turnout—potentially more than 300 boats. For years, Race Week (as it’s known by locals and veteran competitors) has been a mega-regatta. Since 2012, this event has drawn roughly 250 entries each year. But two factors promise an uptick in registrations this time around. First is the fact that the 2020 Melges 24 World Championship regatta will take place just a week afterward on the same waters, and organizers anticipate that Race Week will draw The conditions at Race Week often run from light to blustery. Brian Carlin/ many teams looking to tune up before the Charleston Race Week photo.
The Melges 24 Class will be out in full force as many entries practice for the 2020 Worlds, which take place here a week after Race Week. Rick Walo/Charleston Race Week photo. Cruising & Sailing Florida, The Southeast & The Bahamas
SOUTHWINDS
March 2020
45
