Author: Kate Somers

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.

High-speed foiling catamarans, powerful 72-foot Maxi yachts, innovative High Performance Racing designs and large classes of exciting sport boats are heading to the Florida Keys. Quantum Key West Race Week 2015 will once again showcase the full spectrum of sailboat racing amid the beautiful setting of aqua-colored waters and warm sunshine.

Many of the world’s best sailors will come to the Conch Republic for the 28th edition of Key West Race Week, being held Jan. 18-23. For the fourth consecutive year, Quantum Sail Design Group will serve as title sponsor of the iconic event, which is organized by Premiere Racing.

Key West, Florida Keys — There was plenty of final day drama at Quantum Key West 2014 as the winners of several classes were determined during the last race. And conditions could not have been better for those winner-take-all scenarios with the southernmost point of the United States delivering the strongest winds of the regatta.
North-northeasterly breezes in the 18-24 knot range made for some spectacular racing on all three courses and enabled all 10 classes to complete 10 races for the five-day event.

Key West, Florida Keys — It’s been said the only certain things in life are death and taxes. Oh, and a full week’s worth of racing in Key West. Time has proven the latter is almost as guaranteed as the two more ominous events, and a heck of a lot more fun!

Broad smiles and weary bones usually means a successful day on the water for sailboat racers. There was plenty of both on the docks around the Conch Republic on Wednesday after organizers of Quantum Key West 2014 completed three races in strong winds.

Rain squalls and wind shifts couldn’t put a damper on the competition during Day 2 at Quantum Key West 2014. Multiple storm bands that were quite severe at times challenged the race committees and forced delays. Ultimately, perseverance and patience paid off as Division 1 completed a race while Divisions 2 and 3 got in two each.