Record gathering

200 boats expected at January's Acura Key West 2006 regatta

The first entry deadline for Acura Key West 2006, Presented by Nautica is still a week off and never in the 19 year history of North America’s premiere mid-winter regatta has it seen such a gathering of international grand prix boats and sailing greats.

With all the headliners, there will once again be up to 200 top club racers making the annual pilgrimage to Key West. The combination of elite and grass roots sailor makes Key West a unique regatta.

Paul Cayard probably expressed it best: “…I consider this to be the heart and soul of our sport. This is one of the few regattas in which weekend guys compete against the world’s best. Hopefully, we can learn from each other. To me, that’s what the sport is all about.”

The America’s Cup Skipper and multiple World Champion will this year be busy circling the globe in the Volvo Ocean Race, but there will be no shortage of other elite names with the likes of Coutts, Kostecki, Chieffi, Butterworth, Baird and Melges among the who’s who Key West afterguard.

There will be fierce class racing on all four race circles with numerous one design and handicap classes highlighting the competition.

The Swan 45 Gold Cup - featuring 16 of Nautor’s Swan luxury racing boats from Italy, Japan, the UK and the US - will crown a 2006 World Champion at week’s end. 2004 Gold Cup Champion, Stefano Polti (Mintaka) will have the difficult task of defending his title in this talent laden fleet.

Transpac 52s will be tuning up for their inaugural Global Championships at Premiere Racing’s Acura Miami Race Week in March. At least nine of these box-rule thoroughbreds will be making noise on Division 2. Watch for tight tactical duels with Olympians and America’s Cup greats like Adrian Stead on board Stuart Robinson’s Stay Calm III, Ed Baird on Tom Stark’s Rush and Ian Walker on Eamon Conneely’s Patches guiding the owners around the track.

Fresh off their victory at the TP52 Mid Winter's in Fort Lauderdale, Rush is looking forward to a larger and even more competitive fleet in Key West. "Acura Key West Race Week is one of the highlights of the Rush campaign,” said Stark. “A great venue, a competent committee and the hospitality of the locals makes for a great event."

The Farr 40 start at Key West will again be a photographer’s dream with an impressive 25 boat fleet. A world championship caliber fleet hails from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Canada and both US coasts and the Great Lakes. Current North American champion Robert Hughes on Heartbreaker will have two former World Champions, Jim Richardson on Barking Mad and Italian Massimo Mezzaroma's Nerone to contend with in this highly competitive class.

The inaugural IRC National Championship will ensure that the handicap racing next January rivals any taking place in the one design arena. Nick Lykiardopulo’s Ker 55 Aera is an early favorite in this disparate 10 boat class. Three pair of 60 footers - Farr 60s, Open 60s and Swan 601s - will compete with Key West regular Bill Alcott's Andrews 68 Equation and first timer Hap Fauth on the J/V 66 Bella Mente.

The Melges 24 may be the smallest boat in fleet but they remain the biggest class by a considerable margin. A December World Championship in Key Largo will translate into record numbers of international entries continuing their battles in Key West. A 70-boat turnout of these hi-octane racers is expected.

In addition to vying for prestigious Key West class honors, some one designs will sweeten the pot with their own championship designations. Mumm 30s will be vying for 2005 North American Championship honors. Mid-Winter Championships are on the line for C&C 99, J/109, J/105, and Melges 24 classes.

The Acura Grand Prix Awards will be presented to the combined class winners of Acura Key West and Acura Miami Race Week. Perpetual awards are in the offing to the TP52, Swan 45, Farr 40, Mumm 30, J/105, Melges 24 and other classes that meet eligibility requirements.

The latest update on the impact of Hurricane Wilma is very positive. A Monroe County Tourist Development Council representative stated that: “As a whole the Key West tourism infrastructure did not get impacted that much by Wilma. Today, the recovery is just about complete. Sailors can expect to find Key West the same as in past years.”

Title Sponsor Acura is the Official Vehicle. Presenting Sponsor Nautica represents the Official Timekeeper (Nautica Watches) and the Official Footwear. Day Sponsor Mount Gay® Rum is the Official Rum. Supporting sponsors are B&G (Official Marine Electronics), Lewmar (Official Marine Hardware), and Samson Rope Technologies (Official Cordage). Acura Key West is also supported by The Florida Keys and Key West Tourist Development Council. The Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight is the Official Site.