Sailing Blog
UP NEXT: Shrimp ‘n Grits…Charleston Race Week »
April 13, 2011
The Audi Melges 20 fleet has moved from its winter home in Miami, and the circuit makes its way north for the summer with the first stop in Charleston Harbor. What was a small, regional event just 4-5 years ago, Charleston Race Week has now ballooned to over 240 entries racing in a dozen fleets, and when compared to the dwindling of almighty Key West Race Week, it only takes a partial observer to figure out why. Charleston has what racers are looking for with a laid back, yet competitive environment where weekend warriors can justify making the expense and taking vacation time, while “pro” sailors feel they must be in attendance as this is now the largest, premiere event in the country. Regatta HQs and all of the social activities are based out of the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina where the majority of competitors stay, and the biggest factor is that CRW manages to pull off a world class event in just 3 days. In my humble opinion, having a weeklong event is great for sponsors and rum suppliers, but for sailors with limited budgets and time, there is nothing to be accomplished in 5 days of racing that can’t be done in 3.
The interesting part about the popularity of Charleston Race Week is that while the organization and management is top notch, the racing conditions could be considered sketchy and unorthodox. Charleston Harbor is a huge tidal area with numerous shoals, reefs, shipping lanes, islands, fishing pots, and with the Ashley and Cooper rivers intersecting with tidal push and pull from the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of the harbor, having local knowledge here is a huge premium. In past years it has not been uncommon to see boats on one side of the course in favorable current making huge gains while the other side feels like they are sailing on a treadmill going in the wrong direction. The breeze can also be different on the race course when the seabreeze kicks in from the SE and battles the westerly flow. Throw in the constant concern about running aground and racing in Charleston Harbor feels like NASCAR at night sans headlights on a changing race track filled with potholes. Despite all of this, people love coming to this event showing regatta organizers everywhere that you dont need the perfect venue to have a successful event…just a fun, laid back atmosphere, good race management, and some tasty shrimp ‘n grits.
Our challenge on M & M racing will be to keep our momentum rolling after our solid regatta at the Barcardi Cup. The only thing harder than winning, is winning again and we will have to hit the “reset button” and re-focus on the process of what it takes to do well at an event. One thing we talked about on our sail in after the final race in Miami was the amount of mental energy it takes to stay focused for every race, and we will have to dig deep and find the ability to regain our concentration. While regatta wins are great, the only thing they do at the next event is guarantee that you will get tacked on, have your hole taken on the starting line and it is basically sticking a bullseye on your sail. We will have our same team of Mary Anne and Peter Keck which is great fun both on and off the water, and I am very much looking forward to challenges of racing this weekend, but we have a lot of work to do.
Other than some exciting racing, we have some great dinners planned at the best food city in the country. While I am not a Shrimp ‘n Grits (to sound like a local, it is best to drop the “n” and just go with “shrimp grits”) expert, I have had my fair share, and I would challenge anyone to pick a better place than Hank’s Seafood for this Low-Country staple. Walking the Palmetto and gas lamp lined streets of Downtown Charleston with the smell of great Southern Cooking on every block is enough for anyone to revel in a great day of racing, or forget a bad one. Racing begins Friday and results results will be updated at here. Stay tuned.
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