NEWS

PICTURE-PERFECT CONDITIONS BRING VISITING TEAMS SUCCESS

©2008 Tim Wilkes Photography CHARLESTON, SC (April 18, 2008) – At almost every regatta, local sailors frequently excuse too much or too little breeze with the familiar refrain, “It's never like this!” For day 1 of 2008 Charleston Race Week, that wasn't a problem at all. “Today's conditions are exactly what we love about Charleston,” said Event Director Brad Van Liew. “We saw just what we hoped for, and everyone got a lot of racing in today.” A light, shifty land breeze met the sailors at 10:00, letting the light-air specialists shine as they picked their way through a minefield of windless holes and stronger puffs. By 1:00 in the afternoon, sailors on all courses were treated to Charleston's reliable 10-12 knot onshore wind, allowing close racing with exciting mark roundings and tactical duels. OUT-OF-TOWNERS TOP MOST FLEETS In all but one class, visiting raceboats sit atop the leader board – this despite the conditions reflecting Charleston's most common weather pattern. Quantum sailmaker Scott Nixon helped Melges 24 Class VP Travis Wiesleder find the head of the pack in the biggest fleet at Charleston Race Week. He leads some extremely talented crews, and judging from the tight racing and close finishing today, bragging rights for this fleet will go down to the wire on Sunday. Tomorrow's forecast shows stronger breeze in the morning, with rain and possibly a thunderstorm or two likely to keep things interesting for all competitors. Tides are also at their highest of the month, so strong current could be the factor that lets locals gain back some ground against the high-caliber visiting teams enjoying this marquis event. ABOUT CHARLESTON RACE WEEK Charleston Race Week is an event of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA). All profits from the event support educational programs aboard the Spirit of South Carolina, a classic tall ship serving South Carolina’s youth. Charleston Race Week is sponsored by Raymarine, Gosling’s Rum, Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Vineyard Vines, Gill North America, West Marine, the Town of Mt. Pleasant, Charleston Boatworks, and Azalea Moving & Storage. For up-to-the-minute race results, scratch sheets, entry list, and race instructions, check out www.charlestonraceweek.com.

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International Melges 24 Class Association

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