Great J/80 and J/105 One-Design Fleets, Strong IRC/PHRF Racing
(Key West, FL)- With the northern hemisphere caught in a month-long vice-grip of cold weather, it's not surprising that many sailor's focus on the first warm water regatta of the year, generally the shindig hosted by Premiere Racing in Key West, FL. As Regatta Chairman, Peter Craig, pointed out, "..we are leased with the commitment of boat owners to participate in what is unquestionably another very challenging year for all." J/Boats are well-represented in all classes again this year. In fact, over 1/3 of the entire fleet is composed of J's this year....what looks to be 15 J/105s, 19 J/80s and another ten J's between J/122s, J/44, J/109, J/125, J/29 and J/24s participating.The J/80 class is hosting its 2010 J/80 Midwinter Championship and it also marks the inaugural event of the 2010 J/80 Tour that culminates in the J/80 World Championship in Newport, RI. The entries have a very strong contingent of past North American and World Champions in the fleet. The favorites to win-place-show in this hot fleet include Kerry Klingler of Larchmont, nY sailing LIFTED; Glen Darden from Fort Worth, TX racing LE TIGRE; Neil Martin from Hamble, England sailing JUGGERNAUT; Jeff Johnstone from Newport, RI sailing LITTLE FEAT with a family crew; and John Storck from Huntington, NY racing RUMOR.
The J/105 class will have excellent, close competition as well with a number of class leaders and winners from past North American Championships and New England Championships participating. Among those vying for silverware should be Scooter Simmons from San Francisco, CA racing BLACKHAWK; Damian Emery from New York racing his well-traveled and successful ECLIPSE; Ken Colburn from Southport, ME sailing GHOST with ace tactician Bobbie Slattery aboard; and Brian Keane, from Marion, MA, a perennial class leader, racing the redoubtable SAVASANA with his crackerjack crew.
Dueling it out for honors in the IRC2 class will be a combination of new and old warhorses. Jim Bishop from Jamestown, RI will have a strong team onboard his aquamarine colored J/44 GOLD DIGGER. They will give two J/122s a run for their money. Robin Team's J/122 TEAMWORK from Beaufort, NC will be dueling with another J/122, Dave Murphy's up and coming PUGWASH with renowned sailmaker/ tactician Larry Leonard aboard calling the shots.
In the PHRF classes, Jim Madden's fast and fun J/125 STARK RAVING MAD from Oyster Bay, NY will be whistling around the course with North Sail's Gary Weisman calling tactics, wondering how they did on handicap; they're sailing with an enormous forty second per mile advantage over others in PHRF1. Chasing S.R.M. around the track will be two well-sailed J/120s and a past Overall Key West Race Week Winner- the J/120 EL OCASO sailed by Rick Weslund from Miami, FL. William Terry will be r acing his J/120 TAMPA GIRL for honors in this competitive class. In the PHRF2 class, Bill Sweetser, from Annapolis, MD will be racing his champion J/109 RUSH and hoping to hold off the small boat in their class, Steve Thurston, from Barrington, RI racing the J/29 MIGHTY PUFFIN. In PHRF3, some die-hard J/24s sailors will be having a blast enjoying the camaraderie, fun and sailing that so epitomizes Key West Race Week. Mark Milnes from Key Wey will be racing BLAH BLAH BLAH and Joe Naroski and Norm LeBlanc will be vying for braggin rights with NOJOE. For more regatta and sailing information.
