Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Key West Race Week Registration Open!

J/70s sailing Key West Race WeekSign-up NOW for J/70 & J/80 Midwinters!
(Key West, Florida)-  Great news! Premiere Racing announced that registration is open for next year's 2014 Key West Race Week.  This spectacular event presents world-class competition over five full race days. Entering its 27th year, race week offers exceptional racing and fun shoreside parties in wonderful Key West. The Florida Keys and Key West are the perfect southernmost vacation destination.  Premiere Racing’s reputation for excellent race management and regatta organization promises to deliver another great regatta and ideal winter get-away for all sailing enthusiasts.

So far, the two largest fleets registered so far are the J/70s and J/80s, both fleets are hosting their Midwinter Championships at Key West.  The J/70s have over fifteen boats registered already! Several top teams are  planning to attend, including front-runners like Bennet Greenwald's PERSEVERANCE and Joel Ronning's CATAPULT. Also looking forward to sailing off the gorgeous Florida Keys are some foreign entries, including Chuck Millican's ELUSIVE from Bermuda and two Canadian teams- Andrew Papierz on DYNAMO and Rob & Sandy Butler on TOUCH2PLAY.  Over fifty J/70s are expected to sail in the class's second Midwinter Championship.

J/80 one-design sailing Key West Race WeekThe J/80s already have ten boats signed up for their Midwinters with several top teams heading down south for some fun in the sun.  A large contingent from Annapolis is ready to roll, including Chris & Liz Chadwick sailing CHURCH KEY, Kristen Berry on WILLY T, Bert Carp, Jeff Jordan on SLAP & TICKLE and Carole Jordan on EMOTIONAL RESCUE.  Curtis Bearden's Fort Worth, Texas crew will be sailing FLYING CIRCUS II.  And, from the northeast teams like Gary Panariello's COURAGEOUS and Henry DeGroot's WIRED will be looking forward to that classic Key West day of 15-20 kts and sunny from the southeast!

J/111 sailing fast upwind off Key West - Key West Race WeekThere is a good possibility that enough J/111s head south for a J/111 Midwinter Championship.  Already, Rob & Ryan Ruhlman on their new SPACEMAN SPIFF will be sailing from Cleveland, Ohio.  Other big J's participating will be Terry Mckenna's new J/88 DOG PARTY, a crew that is coming from Prince Edward Island, Canada; plus Key West Champion Robin Team will be sailing the famous J/122 TEAMWORK from Lexington, NC!

Come one, come all!  Key West is certainly one of the best places in the world for sailing, especially as an escape from the chilly winters up north.  With warm weather, plenty of sun and, more often than not, a wonderful trade-wind breeze from the southeast at 10-15 kts, it's no wonder many teams make Key West a fixture on their winter calendars every year! Sailing photo credits- Onne Vanderwal.   For more Key West Race Week sailing information