US Warriors and British Gladiators Triumph in Charleston

Victors and vanquished decided

212 teams competing in 16 classes competed at Sperry Charleston Race Week (April 20-23). Teams from 24 States and 9 foreign countries lined up to do battle in 20 knot-plus breezes and 80 degree sunshine on the waters off Charleston, SC last weekend.

Three days of racing decided the victors and the vanquished and in the big boat ORC-A class, it was Tony Langley's TP52 Gladiator that prevailed. While the British owner campaigns at the very highest level of sailing in the TP52 Super Series, it was a pro-am team, including injured British Army Afghanistan veterans, that picked up first prize in Charleston.

Tony Langley's Gladiator, powering its way to take the ORC-A class win

Family Affair

Stepping aside from driving the boat last weekend, Langley handed the wheel to son Bernard (24), while dad tried his hand as tactician. Younger son Will (22) was also on the boat providing power to the grinders, along with Americas Cup veteran, Joe Spooner, while daughter Charlotte was on the water in the team chase boat taking photos.

Also on the Gladiator as lead trim, five times Americas Cup trimmer, Morgan Troubevitch providing expert guidance to the aspiring your amateurs and soldiers alike.

Veterans Unite

Warrior sailing to victory in the J22 Class with Scott Ford, now totally blind, on the foredeck.

Dave Caras's prosthetic provided the toasting cup for the American and British boat teams to celebrate their victories.

In the one design J22 fleet, it was US injured veterans from the Warrior Sailing Program that took first prize. Scott Ford, seen above on the foredeck of J22 Warrior, is totally blind. An incredible achievement.

Once off the water, it wasn't long before the Warriors and Gladiators came together at the bar, with US serviceman Dave Caras, who lost a leg to a land mine in Afganistan, providing a toasting cup for the joint celebration!

About

Langley Holdings plc is a diverse, privately owned engineering and industrial group based in the UK with 5 operating divisions, based principally in Germany, France and the United Kingdom, with a substantial presence in the United States and more than 80 subsidiaries worldwide. The group's divisions produce equipment ranging from electrical systems for data centres, machinery for cement and steel plants to food packaging lines, automotive welding equipment and printing presses. The group was founded in 1975 by the current Chairman, Tony Langley, and currently employs around 4,300 people worldwide.

Gladiator Sailing Team

In common with all Langley businesses, the group sponsored Gladiator Sailing Team represents the very best technology in its field, attracts highly talented people and conducts itself with the highest standards of integrity.

Photos© Charlotte Langley