Porter & Zimmerman Crowned Champions at Charleston Race Week 2025
Charleston, South Carolina – April 11–13, 2025 — The Melges 24 Class delivered a masterclass in competitive one-design sailing during the 2025 edition of Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point. With near-perfect weather, challenging currents, and a strong turnout in both Open and Corinthian divisions, this year’s regatta was a true showcase of tactical skill and teamwork.
Congratulations to overall Charleston Race Week champion Brian Porter at the helm of Full Throttle and to first-time Charleston Corinthian Champ Scot Zimmerman racing Bad Idea. After three days and eight races, these two dedicated Melges 24 owners capture the top titles!
The event began on Friday, where conditions set the tone for a complex weekend. Winds began from the west-northwest at 7 to 12 knots before a sea breeze filled in, shifting the direction and softening the velocity into the 3–9 knot range. Veteran skipper Brian Porter and his Full Throttle team, sailing with sons RJ (tactician) and Bri (headsail trimmer), along with bowman Matt Woodworth relied heavily on deep local knowledge and decades of experience to post consistent finishes of 1-2-4 on days when few could stay in phase. “There were some big holes on the course,” Porter said. “You had to find a way to connect the dots, and we did a great job staying in contact.”
Saturday saw a momentum shift as Peter McClennen’s Gamecock team roared back into contention with a 3-2-1 performance, erasing an earlier ninth-place finish to tie Full Throttle at the top of the leaderboard. McClennen, the reigning Melges 24 Midwinter and Southeast Inland Champ, credited good fortune and patience on Charleston’s notoriously difficult track: “It was really tricky out there, and we just tried to stay with the top of the fleet,” he said.
As the Open division battle unfolded, the Corinthian teams, engaged in an equally thrilling contest. Scot Zimmerman and his Bad Idea team proved to be the most consistent across the fleet, taking top Corinthian Championship title, finishing a fantastic 9th overall with 44 points. Wombmates Racing, helmed by John Shockey, followed closely in second (49 pts), and past Corinthian champion Dan Berezin’s Surprise rounded out the podium in third (52 pts). With twelve Corinthian teams on the line, their presence was both competitive and deeply respected throughout the fleet.
When it came time to close on Sunday, Full Throttle rose to the occasion. With three race wins and two second-place finishes over the course of the regatta, the Porters finished with just 15 total points—securing a three-point margin over Gamecock. “We were very particular about where we wanted to be on the start line so we could tack when we wanted,” said Bri Porter. “It was tough out there, but we kept our heads in it and stayed focused.”
Charleston once again proved itself to be a proving ground for top-tier sailing, with shifting breeze, tactical pressure, and deep talent across the board.
From the dominant display by Full Throttle to the impressive all-amateur performance by Bad Idea, the 2025 edition of Charleston Race Week confirmed why the Melges 24 remains one of the most exciting and competitive classes in the sport.
View the Full Charleston Race Week Results
Photo Galleries: Priscilla Parker / Ty Baird Media / Joy Dunigan