The water was a bit bumpy for the first day of Quantum Key West Race Week action, with winds at 10-15 out of the east, but it doesn't look like any complaints were lodged.
You call it a busy first day, if you like. It's especailly busy if you're part of the media crews. T2P.tv is on the water filming with cameras and drones, commentating, and driving the boat at the same time. Check out Editor in Chief Ashley Love's live Facebook video, where she gives an inside scoop on everything Conch Republic.
Let's get to today's sailing.
Photos by QKWRW Race Committee, Martha Parker, T2P.tv, and PhotoBoat.com.
Terry Hutchinson has his work cut out for him this week, as Platoon, Hars Muller Spreer's TP52 took both races while Quantum Racing had a disappointing third and seventh finish, placing them tied at fourth for the regatta so far.
In the J/111 fleet, two Ohio boats are currently leading the pack (they do have Allan Terhune as tactician onboard Spaceman Spiff, so maybe that cancels out the whole 'being from Ohio' bit), but Martin Roesch's Velocity is right behind them. Don't think twice about Velocity picking up steam, though; that tactician is crazy fast.
The J/70s got in three excellent races with plenty of trading back and forth among the top spots. Carlo Alberini's Calvi Network already has a nine-point lead on Peter Duncan (who is sailing with Jud Smith), but you never know what's going to happen in a 42-boat fleet. Currently, Wilson Stout on Hooligan / Flat Stanley Racing is the top Bay boat with 40 points and in 13th place, but a trio of Bay boats (Gannon Troutman on Pied Piper, Thom Bowen on Reach Around, and Henry Filter on Wild Child) are all right behind him. Jenn and Ray Wulff started out the regatta with a couple of mid-fleet finishes, but we know not to underestimate Joint Custody and are looking forward to watching their standings climb.
We got a great picture of Kristen Robinson on Zombie (thanks, Martha Parker - we love you!). She's currently third place in the Corinthian division and only one point behind Sparkle, the boat that has Dawn Riley as its Watch Captain, whatever that means (sailors think this is so hilarious).
Jahn Tihansky and his buddies are learning how to sail a chartered Flying Tiger, and are apparently picking it up quite nicely. They're currently tied for first place.
Sailors are now off the water and are headed to the Regatta Bar within the hour. We'll have more coverage starting Tuesday morning, so be sure to check back.
For full results, click here.
