Foiling catamarans and drones hovering around the finish line of the maxi class made this year’s Quantum Key West Race Week seem like it was 2045, not 2015.
Seven Chesapeake Bay boats are down in Key West, although more have Bay racers competing as crew. Here’s the daily roundup of who’s where in the fleet.
Monday’s sailing had winds starting out at 10-12 knots out of the northeast, easing some as the day progressed. Each class got off two races for a decent start of another great week.
The big news this year is the expansion of the Farr 280 class (expect to see even more of the boat at Charleston in a couple of months). For now, though, the Farrs are racing in a PHRF fleet with a bunch of other Bay boats. Within the “PHRF Triple ToD to ToT Division,” Rhumb Punch, John and Linda Edwards’ Farr 30, is in second place only to a British Farr 280. The Edwards had one fourth and a second place in the eight-boat fleet. Following them is Robin Team and his crew onboard the J/122 Teamwork.
Within the Farr 280s, Stephen Murray’s Decision is currently in third place with Geoff Ewenson onboard as tactician. In fifth is Tate Russack and Ian Gordon onboard Diesel, and in sixth is Bob Moran’s Ragin.’ Interestingly enough, in eighth place is a new C&C 30 One Design, SALT, helmed by Oleksandr Ivanov. With all that talent and experience in one class, we’re pretty sure there will be some shake ups by the end of the week.
The J/70 fleet numbers are down 10% from last year, and it’s most noticeable in the fact that fewer Bay J/70s are down competing. However, the ones who are there are seriously tearing it up.
The big story right now is all about Cole Allsopp and Thom Bowen, onboard J/70s Moxie and Reach Around, respectively. Both had a killer first day, where Allsopp had a third and 14th in the 54-boat fleet, and Bowen had a second and 17th. Yes, you read that right: in the first race, two Chesapeake Bay J/70s were in the top three (Moxie was leading the fleet until the third leg). NICE WORK.
Deeper in the fleet, Peter Firey and Catharine Evans are getting used to the fleet. Firey retired in the first race, but returned with a respectable 27th in the second. For full results, click here.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know if your friends, family, or enemies are down there and we’ll include them in our race reporting. And be sure to join us on Thursday at the Boatyard Bar and Grill for their “We’re Not in Key West” party!
