2008 Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race


Home Back	December 27, 2007 ______________________________________________________________________________ Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race Back on the Circuit for April 2008 Event marks the rebirth of a classic ocean duel FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - 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. To automatically be placed on future email announcements for this and other SORC events send an email to press@fortlauderdalecharlestonrace.org.
Photos by: W. Spruance www.spruance.com	2008 Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race © copyright 2007	Website created by: Barr Batzer

December 27, 2007
______________________________________________________________________________

Fort Lauderdale to Charleston Race
Back on the Circuit for April 2008

Event marks the rebirth of a classic ocean duel

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - 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. To automatically be placed on future email announcements for this and other SORC events send an email to press@fortlauderdalecharlestonrace.org.