2011 Charleston Race Week

Charleston Race Week has become "The Premier Race Event on the East Coast"! The event started with a record number of contestants that held registration until another race circle could be approved. Sportboats have come in droves to this event over the past few years and the Ultimate 20's joined the fun this year.

On the first day of competition, the wind gods shined on the racers on the first day of competition with 15-18 knots out of the east. Perfect weather for sportboats! Jim Pearson's, Slippery, took a commanding lead on the first day with 3 firsts and a second. Peter Marriott and Bob McGrath's, Zulu and BJ Jones's, Rumbullion, were left fighting it out for second.

The next day, the wind gods got a little over zealous and races had to be cancelled due to 30+ knots of wind and storms. Much of the southeast saw devastating tornadoes. But as true sailors the party continued looking forward to the next day of racing.

With all that wind and storms the day before, the wind gods must have blown themselves out as some circles did not see any racing. On the Ultimate 20 circle, the race committee was able to sneek in one race in 5 to 10 knots.

Jim Pearson with his comfortable lead held on to win the Ultimate 20 Class. The battle for second was determined by a first place finish for Rumbullion to clinch second place for BJ and Emily Jones.

As this was a great start for the Ultimate 20 Class this year at Charleston Race Week, we hope to make this a venue of choice in the coming years, so put it on your calendar Ultimate 20 Racers!

Story by Gregg Henning

Photos courtesy of Photoboat

See Race Results below!