USMCA NEWS

NEWS

TIGHT BATTLES THROUGHOUT FLEET AFTER WINDY AND WILD AFTERNOON

CHARLESTON, SC (April 19, 2008) – A breezy sixth race capped off an action-filled Saturday on the water, resulting in extremely tight scores in many of the racing classes at 2008 Charleston Race Week.

One of the two highest-profile classes at the event – the Melges 24 has a tie at the top of the leader boards. Kristen Lane, helming the Melges 24 Out House, is neck-and-neck with Travis Wiesleder's Carloan.com, both with 11 points. Lane's tactician is Morgan Larson, the veteran of two major America's Cups and three Olympic campaigns. This is Larson's first time racing on Charleston Harbor since he left school more than a decade ago. “It's great to be back here – we're having so much fun, the racing is so tight and the venue so good.” With lighter breeze
forecast tomorrow, Larson knows that tomorrow's winner-take-all battle isn't going to be easy. “We go really well in the light air, but regardless of where we finish, we've had a great time.”

Trailing by just four points is Simon Strauss and the crew of Yoga, who led a late-day charge to win the final race by less than half a boat length over Lane. “It's not over yet,” said Yoga tactician and top dinghy racer Bora Gulari. “Those guys are going to be worrying about each other, and we're going to do our best to get out front and stay there – hopefully that will be enough.”

Tomorrow's forecast shows a light Southeasterly breeze, and racing will likely be finished before the sea breeze builds in earnest. Based on the racers' comments, the teams can't wait to finish off a nearly ideal weekend of racing at one of the most competitive Charleston Race Weeks ever.

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.