Ft. Lauderdale - Charleston Yacht Race Returns
Sailing event brings back a classic ocean duel

Posted Thursday, December 27, 2007

 
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FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. (December 27, 2007) - Southern Ocean Racing Conference
(SORC) Management, which includes members of the Storm Trysail Club (STC)
and Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC), today announced the formal opening for race
entries for the 2008 Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Ocean Yacht Race.
Scheduled to begin April 23rd at 1400 hours, this event marks the rebirth of
a race that originated in 1968 and ran for 10 years. The race will start
just outside of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and finish just outside
of Charleston Harbor.

The Race is also an official leg of the 2008 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series where
IRC boats earn points for placement in an overall chase to be the series
champion.

A number of boats have already entered, including Rima 2, the 55-foot
Reichel/Pugh design - a prime candidate for setting a new race record.

A classic duel of ocean racing tactics and sailing endurance, this
408-nautical mile race is sailed straight up the Gulf Stream. Competitors
will enjoy a constant two- to four-knot push as navigators work to keep
boats in the axis of the stream and avoid counter currents.

The race is sponsored by the LYC of Fort Lauderdale, the STC, headquartered
in Larchmont, N.Y., and the Carolina Yacht Club (CYC) of Charleston. The
race will be organized and managed by SORC Management.

The inaugural race in 1968 was won by Dr. Dean Woolsey in his 40-foot
Columbia yacht. The race record is held by the 53-foot sloop Bumblebee,
owned and skippered by J.D. Kahlbetzer, which completed the 1976 race in 40
hours, 34.5 minutes.

"With today's yacht designs, sails and navigation equipment, we expect the
previous record time to be easily smashed," said Buck Gillette, Race
Chairman and LYC Past Commodore. "We are also pleased to welcome this
classic back to the racing circuit and consider it to be ranked along with
other great ocean races such as the Newport to Bermuda and the Pineapple Cup
Montego Bay Race."

"The CYC is proud to host the race finish and awards party;" stated Crayton
Walters, Past Commodore. "Charleston is a beautiful town rich with history
and entertainment for the whole crew and supporting families."

Additional information including the Preliminary Notice of Race, on-line
entry and accommodations can be found at
www.fortlauderdalecharlestonrace.org.