Month: January 2015

Most of the marquee classes at Quantum Key West Race Week 2015 came down to the last day of the regatta, which delivered the toughest conditions of the week. Howling winds and rough seas challenging the competitors on Friday, forcing the top contenders to raise their game in order to claim overall victory.

It probably won’t be a late night on Duval Street for the sailors competing on Division 2 and 3 at Quantum Key West Race Week 2015. After doing three races in strong winds on Thursday, there are no doubt a lot of sore muscles, aching bones and tired bodies.

Based off early morning forecasts, it appeared a lay day might be in the cards for competitors at Quantum Key West Race Week 2015. Some sailors might have already been making plays to play tennis or go fishing during an hour-long dockside delay.

During 28 years of running a regatta off Key West, Premiere Racing has a remarkable record of getting in a complete series. Because of the consistent conditions off the Conch Republic, there have been very few lost race days.

There is no better sight than a steady stream of racing boats either sailing or motoring out of the Historic Seaport harbor around 10 a.m. on Monday. That’s a sure sign that the annual race week held off Key West is starting on time and with enough wind to get the regatta underway.

Key West has been a flurry of activity for the last four days as sailors swarmed into town for the annual race week.

Ken Johnson began his 2015 sailing year by skating around Lake Kegonsa in sub-zero temperatures. Johnson’s Nite iceboat can do 60 miles per hour in the right conditions so it was fun, but boy was it cold!

Johnson was more than happy to escape the arctic chill of Wisconsin for the sunny skies and warm temperatures of Key West, where he will compete in the 28th annual race week for the first time since 2009.

Johnson completed the long drive to the southernmost tip of the United States on Monday night and by the next morning was aboard his C&C 121 Grateful Red, which was berthed at Historic Seaport.

“Last week I was sailing on ice. Right now, I’m worried about the ice melting in my rum drink,” Johnson said as he leisurely began preparing his boat for Quantum Key West 2015.