Sailors face Wild conditions for first day!

   

Photo from the Charlestonraceweek.com website! Photo by Meredith Block.

SAILORS FACE WILD CONDITIONS FOR DAY ONE

Wild breeze 20 to 25 knots (Almost 50km) and massive waves 6 to 8 feet, bring wild racing and breakage!

 CHARLESTON, SC , Competitors are nursing sunburns and sore muscles this evening after spectacular weather made the start of 2009 Charleston Race Week something to remember.

Race Committee members on the offshore courses faced some of the hardest conditions of the day as they pitched around setting marks and start/finish lines.  “The seas started off only three feet or so, but by the end of the day they were consistently at 6 feet to 8 feet, with four second periods,” said mark set officials.

There was plenty of wind, but it was pretty consistent and great sailing breeze,” said Jeff Worobel, sailing on the B-25 ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers. “In fact, there wasn’t any drama at all until we broke our rudder!”  Worobel expects to be ready to race again in the morning.

The Beneteau 36.7 Blueprint crashed into a competing boat and destroyed its bow pulpit, but they didn’t let it deter them.  “We made a call to the local Beneteau dealer, and have a look yourself – the new part is already on and we’re ready to go again!”

Black Diamond had no breakage, we came within 2-3 feet of another boat, a bit scary in these conditions, its not at all like Lake Ontario racing. Our crew never sailed together or on Black Diamond before, so today was just getting use to each other, the boat and these conditions. So we did not do that well, and a couple of the crew got sea sick, so we had to abandon during the second race and did not start the 3rd. race. Despite this, we still raced for over 4 hours straight. We hope to do far better tomorrow.

Hot Racing in Charleston

    

Phoot by Bob Thayer at PCYC, Lake Ontario. Charleston Race Photos to come once available.

Keeping an eye on the tell tales. - (c) Copyright 2009

If containerships were not enough, don't forget to dodge the cruise ship as you head for the windward mark. - (c) Copyright 2009

Forecast Bodes Well For Hot Racing
Dozens of different boat designs will race in thirteen divisions on four courses, but one thing all racing boats have in common is the need for wind, and tomorrow’s forecast promises plenty of it.  Up to 20 knots and 6-8 foot waves will propel these racing machines down their courses, guaranteeing smiling faces and an adrenaline-filled day for all.  “There’s nothing like big waves and big breeze to show off what these boats can do,” said official videographer Peter Crawford.  “The racers will have a great day, and that means we will too.”

 

Hey why is everyone in the cockpit! - (c) Copyright 2009

 ”People think of sailboat racing as a slow, boring sport – but they couldn’t be more wrong,” said official videographer Peter Crawford. “Anyone who comes out and watches 35 identical boats screaming in to a racing mark in strong winds will be shocked at just how fast, exciting and adrenaline-filled it can be.”  Crawford’s Penalty Box Productions will show just how exciting that is, creating daily highlight videos that will be available each evening at www.charlestonraceweek.com 

Perfect Conditions End Race Week with a Bang!

 

Charleston Harbour Marina at dusk. - (c) Copyright 2009

 

PERFECT CONDITIONS END RACE WEEK WITH A BANG
Locals, visitors unanimous in praise for competition, weather and event organization

CHARLESTON, SC (April 19, 2009) –  With numerous battles on tap this morning between 174 race boats across the 13 divisions that made up 2009 Charleston Race Week, mother nature ordered up a sparkling day with near-perfect sailing conditions to close out the memorable event.    

“This is probably the best place I know to race,” said local sailing coach Ryan Hamm.  “We just don’t have a lot of days without good wind – not a bad reason to live here if you’re a sailor.”    

The harbor courses saw 12 knots of wind at the start of the day quickly increasing to over 15 knots, lifting the sporty Melges, Viper, and SB3s out of the water at full planing speeds while providing plenty of power for the big J/24 and J/80 fleets.  Alton Brown, crewing on the J/24 ‘Slingblade’, said that after Friday’s intense racing, he “felt like he’d been beaten with a bamboo stick,” but that today’s Southerly wind was “just incredible.”     

College of Charleston sailor Terry Ensick had a special method for finding the most powerful wind – she wore a pair of bunny ears her crew bought for her Saturday night.  “They were my secret weapon,” said Terry.  “It let me feel the gusts much sooner than without them.”

Craig taking in a little down time. - (c) Copyright 2009

Craig can't make up his mind what he is doing. - (c) Copyright 2009

Over a thousand sailors party every night after racing. (close to 200 boats participated) - (c) Copyright 2009

Showing off those crew shirts in town. - (c) Copyright 2009

Ivan, Ed, Dubie, Derek, Craig and Chris. - (c) Copyright 2009