Welcome to the 2007 East Coast 12 Meter National Championship Regatta. Many of you that will enter this year’s event have been to Charleston before but for those who have not, here is a brief description of the sailing site and typical conditions. The lake is in a park located along the marshy banks of the Stono River with the Charleston Harbor very near by. Although we are somewhat sheltered by trees in the distance, you can usually count on the National Weather Service’s forecast for Charleston Harbor to be somewhat accurate. Although it can be quite warm in November, we don’t have to rely on the sea breeze as much as we do in the summer. It is at this time of the year that the Charleston Model Yacht Club usually hosts its annual Wisteria Cup Regatta and for the past few years we have had borderline B rig conditions in the afternoon. Now that I have jinxed the event with that statement, you can leave the B’s at home (not). If the weather does turn out to be warm with light air, bring bug spray. The Low Country gnats or no-see-ums can be really mean. We are fortunate to have a lake that is out in the open with no obstacles and has level ground to walk along while racing. Launching and retrieving can be done from practically anywhere. We also have the ability to set up two different courses running in different directions. This means in the event of a shift in wind direction, there are many options available and very little effort is necessary to change the course to be sailed. There will be a tent set up near the racing area along with picnic tables but you will still need to bring your own chair(s). Boots or water shoes are recommended as there is only one small movable launching platform. The drop off along the shore is slight and the bottom is sand. At the site there are port-a-potties and if you hop in the car, the park has better facilities a minute or two away. There are also paved trails throughout the park for wives and guests to walk and bikes are available to rent. Skippers will need to arrive on Wednesday October 31st for measuring between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Save the trick or treats for later and costumes are not necessary. That evening we are planning to put together a cash bar cocktail party at the James Island Yacht Club with light snacks provided by us. This is truly one of the best pieces of real estate in Charleston and offers magnificent views of the harbor and historic downtown. This gathering will be early enough for everyone to reconvene at a restaurant for dinner or to go off in another direction. Racing will begin on Thursday, November 1st with a Skipper’s meeting at 9:15am followed by seeding races and three fleets of promotion relegation. The day will end around 4:00pm. Thursday and Friday evenings will be open nights with the final banquet and awards ceremony on Saturday night. If anyone has any questions, please drop me a message at kahle67@comcast.net or call me at 843-478-3368. Reichard M. Kahle Jr. |
