Charleston Race Week Turns 30

Three decades of world-class racing, Lowcountry style

By Pamela Jouan

For 30 years, Charleston Racing Week (CRW) has found that sweet spot where serious competition meets unmistakable Lowcountry charm. Few people know that balance better than race director Randy Draftz.

Draftz first came to CRW as a competitor in 2001, before stepping into leadership through the Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA) who originally ran CRW. What followed was a steady evolution fueled by experience, instinct, and a belief that great racing only works if sailors want to come back. 

“We learned early on the difference between competitor and customer,” he says—a philosophy that helped grow the regatta from 29 boats in four classes in 1996 into one of the largest keelboat regattas in the Americas. Today, attracting both the world’s best sailors and newcomers to the sport is equally important to Draftz. 

Quality race management has always been the backbone. At its peak, Charleston Sailing Week has run up to seven race courses simultaneously, supported by nearly 200 on-the-water volunteers who travel from across the country—and even overseas—to be part of the event. They are fundamental to the event’s success. Over time, the regatta expanded to include multiple styles of racing, from elite sport boats to accessible pursuit courses, ensuring everyone from world-class pros to first-time racers could find their lane. “We even have post-race debriefs hosted by elite sailors that review each day’s experience for the benefit of the sailors,” explains Draftz.

Charleston itself plays a starring role. Its challenging harbor rewards skill, while the city’s beauty and hospitality keep crews lingering long after the last race. Draftz recalls canceling racing one year due to weather—only to discover sailors fell in love with Charleston while exploring the city instead.

This anniversary edition brings fresh momentum, including hosting the Ocean Racing Council (ORC) Sportboat North American Championships. ORC provides a sophisticated handicap system that allows boats of different designs to race against one another using a velocity prediction program. CRW will also continue to use cutting-edge RaceSense technology for some races. Add in Gold Level Clean Regatta sustainability practices—including composting and the elimination of bottled water and plastics, legendary post-race parties aboard the USS Yorktown, and a safety program led by a team at Roper St. Francis who has quite literally saved lives, and the formula is clear. Thirty years on, Charleston Sailing Week isn’t just a regatta—it’s a reunion, a proving ground, and a celebration of why sailors keep chasing the wind back to Charleston.

 charlestonraceweek.com