Stepping Razor Slices Through Competition: Anthony Kotoun Claims Charleston Race Week Title
Charleston, SC, USA - 23 April 2024 - The picturesque backdrop of Charleston, South Carolina, played host to the spectacle of Charleston Race Week 2024, where the salty breeze and the thrill of competition filled the air. The 180 boats in sixteen classes were vying for victory. A newcomer in the Melges 24 class emerged triumphant, etching his name into the annals of CRW history.
Anthony Kotoun, a fresh face in the Melges 24 scene, seized the spotlight with his debut performance at Charleston Race Week. Steering his brand-new vessel, the Stepping Razor, Kotoun navigated the challenging waters with finesse and skill, clinching the coveted title amidst a field brimming with talent.
The allure of Charleston Race Week extends far beyond the thrill of victory; it's a gathering of kindred spirits, a celebration of camaraderie, and a testament to the enduring passion for sailing. Against the backdrop of Patriots Point, sailors, families, and friends converged for their first major regatta of the year, relishing in the opportunity to escape the cold, reconnect with old friends, and embark on a new season of sailing adventures.
In the fiercely contested Melges 24 fleet, seasoned veterans and promising newcomers clashed in a battle of wits and wills. Olympian Bora Gulari, at the helm of Kingspoke, showcased his prowess alongside Kotoun, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown on the water. Three-time Charleston Race Week Champion Travis Weisleder was helming Lucky Dog with his crew, including four-time Olympian Charlie Ogletree.
For Kotoun and his crew aboard Stepping Razor, victory was not merely a triumph of skill, but a testament to teamwork, strategy, and unwavering determination. Guided by tactician Nevin Snow, the team navigated the unpredictable winds and shifting tides with precision, emerging victorious with a stellar performance that left their competitors in their wake. Besides Kotoun and Snow, the winning team was packed with the talent of Aiden Naughten, Mark Spearman, and Elizabeth Whitner.
Reflecting on their journey to victory, Snow remarked, “The last few days were really challenging. We had a sea breeze fighting the land breeze, so it was unclear what was going to happen. Our plan based on what we could see upwind was just to stay close to the top competitors and shift to one side or the other based on what we thought was going to come at us. We kept a level-head, and we had great team chemistry in our first event together.”
Bora Gulari’s Kingspoke, with Norman Berge, Nick Ford, and Carlos Robles, was second on the podium, a mere three points behind Stepping Razor. Flying Jenny, helmed by Sandra Askew, claimed third place with 16 points.
The Corinthian spirit shone brightly as well. The trophy went to Rapscallion packed with Williams - William Morang, William Thran, and William Paschal, plus Jeff Irvine and Parker Thran. Smile and Waves of Jaime Torres was the second Corinthian, and Crazy Train of Patrick Croke completed the Corinthian podium.
Melges 24 (One Design - 16 Boats)
1. Stepping Razor, USA619, Anthony Kotoun / Nevin Snow / Aiden Naughten / Mark Spearman / Elizabeth Whitner - 2 - 1 - 1 - [3] - 1 - 3 - 2 ; 10
2. Kingspoke, USA820, Bora Gulari / Norman Berge / Nick Ford / Carlos Robles - [5] - 3 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 3 ; 13
3. Flying Jenny, USA869, Sandra Askew - 1 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 4 - [8] - 4 ; 16
4. Lucky Dog, USA858, Travis Weisleder / John Bowden / Charlie Ogletree / Chandler Self / Caroline Main - 4 - [17/DNF] - 5 - 6 - 5 - 1 - 1 ; 22
5. New Wave, USA515, Steve Liebel / Martin Kullman / Briar Robertson / Miro Kaffka / Susan Toth - 3 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 3 - 5 - [6] ; 24
6. Rapscallion, USA446, William Morang / William Thran / William Paschal / Jeff Irvine / Parker Thran - 7 - 7 - 6 - [9] - 7 - 6 - 8 ; 41
7. Smile and Wave, USA545, Jaime Torres / Rob Britts / Nick Amendola / Jillian Aydelotte / Sarah Ragle - 9 - 5 - 9 - 7 - 6 - [13] - 7 ; 43
8. Gamecock, USA811, Peter McClennen / Wilson Stout / Will Connely / Zach Champy - 8 - 9 - 8 - 4 - [17/DSQ] - 4 - 16 ; 49
9. Crazy Train, USA803, Patrick Croke / Brigette Croke / Ted Helme / Megan Roach / Seth Rosenthal - 11 - 11 - 10 - [15] - 9 - 9 - 5 ; 55
10. , USA610, Tony Stanley / Marten Kendrick / Andreas Keswater / Josephine Stanley / Maggie Wilcox - [14] - 6 - 12 - 12 - 12 - 7 - 10 ; 59
11. Wild Child, USA094, Maxwell Plarr / David Hood / Stephen Sparkman / Bri Grenier / Britton Durst - 13 - 8 - [15] - 10 - 10 - 12 - 9 ; 62
12. Huzzah, CAN491, Greg Chamberlain / Andrew Stoesser / Matt Lane - 6 - 13 - 11 - [14] - 11 - 11 - 12 ; 64
13. Obsession, USA587, Gary Schwarting / Tommy Sawchuck / John Schwarting / Gwen Andersen / Rachel Green - 10 - 12 - [14] - 8 - 8 - 14 - 13 ; 65
14. Rogue, USA 457, Beth Owens / Gail Heausler / Jeff Walden / Christa Boarini / Ben Givens - 12 - 10 - 7 - 13 - [15] - 15 - 11 ; 68
15. Slippery, 737, Alex Korakis / Doug Weatherby / Mike Quinn / Callen Burnett / Jonathan Ward - [15] - 14 - 13 - 11 - 13 - 10 - 14 ; 75
16. Patriot IV, USA118, Chris Helmkamp / Maxwell Ritz / Court Garretson / Nicholas Dilissio - [16] - 15 - 16 - 16 - 14 - 16 - 15 ; 92
Melges 24 photos by Joy Dunigan
As the sun sets on Charleston Race Week 2024, the echoes of triumph and camaraderie linger on. Amidst the jubilant celebrations and heartfelt congratulations, one thing remains certain: the spirit of sailing burns brighter than ever.
That’s it for Charleston Race Week 2024 - see you April 10-13, 2025, for the 29th edition of the “regatta like no other!”
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Charleston Race Week was the 4th event of the Melges 24 North American Sailing Series. Smile and Waves of Jaime Torres is taking the current top spot ahead of Steven Boho's The 300 and Bora Gulari’s Kingspoke. Rapscallion of William Morang is leading the Corinthian ranking, being 5th in overall.
Please take a look at the current ranking after 4 events.
Melges 24 first time owner Anthony Kotoun won the division on Stepping Razor - Charleston Race Week 2024
KINGSPOKE USA 820 of Bora Gulari with Norman Berge / Nick Ford / Carlos Robles - Charleston Race Week 2024
STEPPING RAZOR USA619 of Anthony Kotoun with Nevin Snow, Aiden Naughten, Mark Spearman, and Elizabeth Whitner - CRW2024
