TRICKY, COLD, WET, FUN
Four races were completed on the first day of racing at Sperry Charleston Race Week 2016 with long-time Melges 24 super racer Travis Weisleder on Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team seated in first overall. “Tricky, cold, wet, fun,” was the quote of the afternoon from Weisleder via text when asked how was the racing.
Consistency was, and is always the name of the game in Charleston. Weisleder’s 2-4-2-3 scoreline has given him a one point advantage over Bruce Ayres on Monsoon, who managed to scoop up two bullets (Race Two and Three) to sit second overall. Tim Healy sailing on Helly Hansen rounds out the top three some eleven points off the pace.
A major daily achievement is handed out to fleet newcomer Jason Carroll on Argo. A new member of the U.S. Melges 24 fleet and looking to race the Worlds this coming November, Carroll won the last race of the day which is quite an accomplishment in itself. He’s a double Melges 32 World Champion, three-time National Champion and North American Champ as well. He’s well acclimated to stiff competition and how to handle it best… and, most especially how to succeed.
Hats off to R.J. Porter at the helm of Brian Porter’s Full Throttle. His Melges 24 was as if shot out of a cannon to win Race One.
Another newbie, but well-versed in what it takes to win is Wes Whitmyer on Slingshot. Whitmyer had a great Race Two to finish third.
CRAZY CORINTHIANS
Seven teams qualified for the all-amatuer division and atop the stack is International Class Chairman Jens Wathne on Party Girl. Brent McKenzie’s EX-KAHN entry sits second. Steve Pirie’s RUMbunctious is third and most likely will be found in the RUM tent at the awesome beachfront party central at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina.
Visit the Official Sperry Charleston Race Week Yachtscoring Website
Visit the Official Sperry Charleston Race Week Website