Sometimes Charleston Harborfest has slow, Tall Ships and sometimes it has sleek, small sailboat yachts – this time we get the round-the-world racers!

So, if you have any interest in sailing whatsoever, you’ll definitely want to be in town two weeks from now for the fifth and final leg of the VELUX 5 OCEANS around-the-world sailboat race that coincides with Harborfest 2011.

The 3,600 nautical mile final leg will be leaving Charleston May 14th, racing to the finish line in La Rochelle, France.

‘Sprint’ really encapsulates what the finale to the VELUX 5 OCEANS will be: an all out adrenaline-fueled race across the North Atlantic and back into the Bay of Biscay, where La Rochelle will celebrate the unique achievements of the skippers in completing The Ultimate Solo Challenge. They are expected to arrive in La Rochelle in early June 2011 with prizes presented June 11.

“I have a lot of incentives to get to Charleston first, my kids are there, my family is there and my home is there. The sooner I get there the longer I get to spend at home. Mentally that is a bit of a liability, and it will be important for me to keep my head straight and not get too excited about sailing home.” – Charleston’s own Brad Van Liew, skipper of Le Pingouin.

Charleston Harborfest 2011 Schedule

Thursday, May 12th

• VELUX 5 OCEANS Vessels and Race Village Open to Public >> 1:00 – 6:00 PM

Friday, May 13th

• Festival Grounds Open to Public >> 1:00 – 6:00 PM
• Skipper Bon Voyage Party >> 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Saturday, May 14th

• Festival Grounds Open to Public >> 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• VELUX 5 OCEANS Parade of Sail >> 12:30 PM
• VELUX 5 OCEANS Race Restart >> 3:00 PM

Sunday, May 15th

• Festival Grounds Open to Public >> 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

After an awesome 4 days of Tall Ships in Charleston’s harbor, if you still can’t get enough of these majestic vessels, you can take a ride on local favorite, The Schooner Pride, this Saturday, July 4th.

The Schooner Pride will be departing from the Aquarium Wharf at 360 Concord Street – to the left of the S.C. Aquarium – on July 4th at 7:00 PM and returning at 9:00. If the Patriot’s Point fireworks haven’t started yet, guests will be able to stay on board and watch from the dock – about the best seat you can get for this amazing show!

Tickets are only $42 per person and reservations are strongly recommended. They only have 49 seats available, and like always, it will be sold out!

Tickets can be purchased at www.schoonerpride.com or by calling 843-722-1112 or 800-979-3370.

Happy sailing!