Frenzy of Activity Envelopes Charleston Harbor as Sperry Top-Sider® Charleston Race Week Opens for Business

CHARLESTON, SC (April 19, 2012)—Marinas, docks, yacht clubs, and launch ramps surrounding Charleston Harbor are a hive of activity today as 250 sailboat racing teams rigged and readied their craft for the first day of Sperry Top-Sider Race Week, which begins tomorrow. “We’re so glad to be back here in Charleston for another year,” said Melges 24 skipper Jens Wathne, from Loddefjord, Norway. “This is the ultimate sailing destination, and we hope to keep coming back every year.”

Wathne’s Party Girl will sail in the ultra competitive Melges 24 fleet, which has designated Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week as its prestigious Gold Cup Regatta. “With the level of competition we see every year in Charleston, it was only natural to make it our Gold Cup for 2012,” said Class Secretary Cary Siegler, who will race on his Melges 24 Rock Steady.

2012 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week will also serve as Class Championships for the Tartan 10 and Viper 640 Classes.

Challenging Mix Of Conditions On Tap For Racers
Charleston's famous sea breeze might not pay a visit on Day One of Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week, with an offshore pressure trough providing shifty and unpredictable air that is likely to stall the thermal until afternoon. Saturday’s early forecast calls for more typical wind patterns, with sea breeze filling in by noon, building to the strong afternoon Southeasterly this town is so well known for. Sunday is apt to brings the possibility of rain and a springtime frontal breeze out of the North, the kind racers look forward to all year long.

Industry Rallies To Support Event
Both the parking lot and race village of the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina are full with sailing industry businesses here to support the event. “We’re happy to have the full trailer here to service just about any rigging problem a racer has,” said Harken rigging specialist Neil Harvey. “We’re also making all our tools available to the racers free of charge if they want to make their own repairs – drill press, vice, grinder, and a lot more – just look for the Harken trailer.” Support is also available from West Marine, Lewmar, Gill, North Sails, Navtec, Pierside Boatworks, and Newport Shipyard.

In addition, George Cannon’s Coral Reef Sailing Apparel is back again to provide Gill technical apparel and racing accessories to the nearly 2,000 sailors who have descended on Charleston. “We’re especially excited to be able to outfit the ladies in the fleet with some of our great Charleston Race Week technical tops,” said Cannon. “Compared to most regattas, Charleston has a very strong female contingent, and we’re happy we can provide the right fit in all our clothing to both men and women.”

Harken Chief Executive Bill Goggins is also in town, though not for business. “I’m here to go racing and hang out with my friends,” said the Wisconsin-based CEO of the world’s premier sailboat racing equipment supplier. “There is no place I’d rather be right now,” he said.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2012 Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week brings the most packed schedule of racing and shoreside activities ever to grace Charleston Harbor. Here are some highlights:

Thursday, April 19th:
5:00-6:00 P.M. Skippers’ Meeting
6:00-6:30 P.M. North Sails Strategy/Trim (Terrace)
6:00-9:00 P.M. Opening Beach Party
~ Burgers & Dogs, Open Gosling’s Rum and Beer Bar, Live music by Ben Fagen & Friends. OPEN TO PUBLIC WITH ENTRY FEE

Friday, April 20th:
8:00 P.M. – MEDIA CALL: Harbor start (offshore boats depart Patriot’s Point Dock)
10:00 P.M. – Offshore Circles First Warning Signal
11:00 P.M.– Inshore Circles First Warning Signal
6:00 P.M. – Beach Party
~ Live music by 17 South, Lowcountry Feast, Open Goslings Rum and Beer Bar, Post-race video and photo slideshows

Saturday, April 21st:
8:00 P.M. – MEDIA CALL: Harbor start (offshore boats depart Patriot’s Point Dock)
10:00 P.M.– Offshore Circles First Warning Signal
11:00 P.M.– Inshore Circles First Warning Signal
1:00 P.M.MEDIA CALL - America’s Cup Arrives, Presentation On Stage (Free to public)
6:00 P.M.– Beach Party (public admitted with fee, open rum and beer bar)
6:30 P.M.– America’s Cup Presentation (Free with party admission)
~ Music by Calvin Taylor, Open Gosling’s Rum and Beer Bar, Post-race video and photo slideshows

Sunday, April 22nd:
8:00 P.M. – MEDIA CALL - Harbor start (offshore boats depart)
10:00 P.M. – Offshore Circles First Warning Signal
11:00 P.M. – Inshore Circles First Warning Signal
2:00 P.M. – Beach Party
~ Race Week’s famous chili & fixins, open beer bar, post-race video and photo slideshows

Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week runs April 19 - April 22 and is open to all monohull sailboats 20 to 80 feet in length. The event is owned and managed by Charleston Ocean Racing Association and is supported by its title sponsor, Sperry Top-Sider, as well as the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Vineyard Vines, and Gosling’s Rum. Additional sponsors include The Town of Mt. Pleasant, Gill, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel, Newport Shipyard, North Sails, Marlow Ropes Ltd., South Carolina State Ports Authority, and Interlux/Awlgrip, along with West Marine, Pierside Boatworks, College of Charleston Community Sailing, Other Brother Entertainment, Orbis, Harken Yacht Equipment, B&G Simrad, Azalea Moving and Storage, Photoboat.com, Charleston Community Sailing, Sail Charleston, and Lewmar Navtec.

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