CHARLESTON RACE WEEK 2009

by John Pollard

My good Dutch friend Carlo Vroon, called me and a conversation went ‘John I want you to come and sail my boat in America’, my reply was’ when and where?’  After finding a suitable trans-Atlantic flight I was soon on my way to Charleston, South Carolina, to compete in the hotly contested Melges 24 division. 

Upon arrival we rigged the boat and went to the race head quarters, which was at a high class hotel on the beach.  Registration consisted of using the elevators, top floor, weigh in, level 3, bow numbers and declarations, level 2, registration.  Once completed it was time to go sailing with the newly formulated crew consisting of Swiss, Dutch and English, one of whom our ‘b-max’ man had never sailed on a Melges 24 before.  After some intense practice we became conversant with each other, both in technique and language.   So much so, that we sailed within a 300’ exclusion zone of American war ship to which we were very firmly told by a large rib, with an even larger gun on the front to move away, which further improved our gybing skills!  We then two boat tested with current North American Champions and after three hours sailing and choosing, returned to race head quarters for the opening ceremony. 

Next day racing in very windy conditions which we posted an average days sailing lying 8^th overall.  I knew we could improve on this, the next day we did posting a 1^st and 2^nd and top boat of the day.  Lifting us to 6^th overall, a fantastic sea food party was held on the beach, where I received 26 American mosquito bites, they must like the English! 

Racing was extremely competitive with TP52 Global Champion Terry Hutchinson, Americas Cup sailor, John Kolious, one team had two boats with seven professionals on board.  All week we had good speed and continued to shine finishing a fantastic 4^th overall against America’s best.

It was a great pleasure to sail with a great bunch of people, and sincerely hope we can do it again sometime.  We went to the closing ceremony finished off with  party sponsored by Sailing Anarchy to whom we owe thanks for diving our boat and some good advice on wind and current strategies in the difficult harbour.