Lottery Winners What else distinguishes this event? It’s one of only two regattas in the country where crews have the chance to compete for free, courtesy of SAIL magazine’s “Best Around the Buoys” contest – a grassroots initiative designed to reward sailors for strong performance on the local level as a means of encouraging more racing on the national level. Last year, Grant Dumas’ team out of St. Petersburg, FL., (seen here) enjoyed free use of a brand-new Beneteau OC 36, with new sails from North Sails, a race-prepped bottom from Pettit Paint, and an electronics package by B&G, along with free housing
Location, Location, Location Part of the allure of racing in Charleston is the area’s picturesque setting. The inshore racecourses are surrounded by the iconic Ravenel Bridge linking peninsular Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, and the highly visible red-roofed Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina – the event’s headquarters. The distinctive cityscape with its many church steeples rising above the rooftops of the Holy City punctuates the backdrop. Just to the southeast is Fort Sumter, which offers a bevy of handy wind indicators for sailors with its numerous flags. Here, the Melges 24 fleet rounds the top mark with the bridge towering in the distance. Photo by Meredith Block.
Party Central
and dockage. To top it off, Sperry Top-Sider threw in a pair of new shoes for each crewmember. Winning their class at the regatta was simply icing on the cake for this crew. Photo by Meredith Block. For additional information about Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, log on to www.charlestonraceweek.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.
Everything Above Deck Southern hospitality is alive and well at Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, and participants here enjoy one of the most inviting beachfront venues anywhere around. With Goslings Rum flowing nightly and an ever-changing menu of entertainment offerings, the post-race hours at this regatta don’t leave anyone wanting for fun. The shoreside highlights from 2012 include a visit from the America’s Cup trophy, along with a Mardi Gras-like parade complete with a Dixieland band and the College of Charleston cheerleaders handing out leis. Photo by Meredith Block. News & Views for Southern Sailors
Sailboat Masts, Booms, Rigging & Hardware www.usspars.com 386-462-3760 800-928-0786 info@usspars.com SOUTHWINDS April 2013
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