Charleston Race Week celebrated its 30th anniversary in style by welcoming 153 boats across 14 classes April 16-19. No fleet was more competitive than the J/70, which was the largest of this year’s regatta with 30 entries. Texas skipper Bruno Pasquinelli added another chapter to his impressive history of top tier performances at Charleston Race Week by capturing the J/70 championship for the third time. The Dallas resident steered Stampede to first or second place in five of nine races in totaling 21 points — seven less than skipper Paul Green and the Progress team. “I think the key to my success here over the years is that I’ve always sailed with Charleston locals,” Pasquinelli said. That was certainly the case this year as former College of Charleston All-American Jackson Benvenutti was aboard as tactician while area resident Patrick Wilson slotted in as trimmer. “Patrick and Jackson have sailed here hundreds of times between them, and their experience was very valuable because a lot of local knowledge was required this week,” Pasquinelli said. “It was really hard sailing the entire regatta. It seemed like understanding the current was really important in this regatta. The last five years was more of a wind-driven event, but this year was more current-driven.” Pasquinelli has multiple relatives in the greater Charleston area and has been coming every summer for years and years. Perhaps that close connection to the city is why he has so many podium placements. “Charleston is very dear to my heart and has always been one of my favorite places to sail. It’s a special place, and to do well here brings me a lot of joy,” said Pasquinelli, whose repeated prowess at Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point is well known by other skippers in the class. “Maybe we have developed a mystique about this regatta that puts fear into our competitors before racing even begins,” he said. Full results: https://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative/50472