USMCA NEWS

NEWS

WILD AND WINDY DAY FOR THE M24s ON DAY TWO OF CRW, ORCHARD STILL LEADING

08 APRIL 2006 • Melges 24 competitors at Charleston Race Week Presented by Seabrook Island headed out this morning amid strong southwest winds, which were due to intensify by late afternoon with thunderstorms and the possibility of hail in the forecast. For the sailors racing on the offshore course, that meant bumpy, four-foot seas and winds easily in excess of 20 knots. For those sailing inshore, the winds were even stronger, at least initially. Though the harbor waters were definitely smoother, the land-influenced breezes were challenging, with strong puffs blasting across the course, kicking up a steep chop. Coupled with a strong ebb tide, that created conditions which one sailor given to understatement termed “a rough day.”

That’s an apt description of how things went down for numerous competitors, including Charlestonian Ryan Hamm whose Melges 24 lost its mast and sails in the first of two races today. “We were going faster than we’ve ever gone before,” said Erica Koenig, who regularly crews on board Hamm’s When Pigs Fly, “just flying downwind. Ryan said we’ve got to jibe, and I thought ‘no way.’ The boom came over, and next thing I know, the mast was in the water. The backstay evidently let go.”

After two more races on Saturday, Rick Orchard and his Grins team find themselves now five points in front. Third place overall, Reggie Fairchild jumped to second place leaving Lucas & Durlach to settle for third. Up from sixth place into fourth is Steve Jones and Eric Andrews with a fantastic 5-3 finish for the day. Umburger made great strides as well now commanding the fifth place position, up from eigth and in sixth overall is Durst, up from yesterday's eleventh position standing.

The conditions for Sunday are expected to moderate after a large storm system blows through late this evening and tonight. The winds are forecast to swing out of the northeast, which will mean pronounced shifts out on the race course. After today’s strong but relatively consistent winds, that’s just the sort of variety that will cap off Charleston Race Week in fitting fashion.

TOP TEN OVERALL RESULTS
1. ORCHARD, Grins; 1, 3, 1, 1, 1 - 7
2. FAIRCHILD, Wireless; 5, 1, 2, 2, 2 - 12
3. LUCAS, Spray; 2, 2, 3, 3, 5 - 15
4. JONES/ANDREWS, Sick Puppy; 3, 7, 12, 5, 3 - 30
5. UMBERGER, Desperate Measures; 12, 5, 8, 10, 4 - 39
6. DURST, Thunderbird; 9, 8, 11, 7, 7 - 42
7. BLANK/CUDD, Brilliant; 6, 19DSQ, 6, 6, 9 - 46
8. McELWAIN, Silver; 8, 9, 9, 4, 19DNS - 49
9. HAMM, When Pigs Fly; 4, 6, 5, 19DNF, 19DNS - 53
10. WILLITS, Black Widow; 10, 11, 4, 9, 19DNS - 53

Full results and stories can be found at www.charlestonraceweek.com