Fresh delights for Key West

Previewing the US' top regatta next January

North America’s premiere annual regatta, Acura Key West 2008, presented by Nautica, is preparing to host its annual gathering of international grand prix boats, high profile classes and sailing legends. January 21-25, 2008 will seen the 21st edition of this week long sailing event.

“As entries come in we’re hearing exciting news from racing programs all over,” says Event Organizer Peter Craig. “From custom IRC programs and established one design classes to PHRF boats seeking the 2008 National Championship, it’s shaping up to be another impressive fleet.”

Design Debuts

Design debuts are a Key West hallmark. 2008 is going to feature some real eye openers - big and small. Dan Meyers’ new IRC 68 Numbers (Rolf Vrolijk) is in the finishing stages at Eric Goetz’s shop in Bristol, RI. After a three year hiatus, Irvine Laidlaw will return to Key West with his latest Highland Fling X - a swing keel Wally 80 - representing another race week first.

Brothers Carl and Andrew Allen ultimately have the 2008 Commodore’s Cup in their sights with their new Mark Mills-designed Sllim 37 No Naked Flames, currently under construction in New Zealand. The new J/122, a versatile 40ft performance sprit boat that has won its share of races this past summer, may have two boats on the line in Key West according to J/Boats. A second new IRC cruiser/racer, George Carabetta and Barry Carroll’s King 40, another Mark Mills design, will debut with hull #1. And Scott Fox’s Flying Tiger 10M CharSar (Bob Perry) will represent the latest sport boat design.

One Designs

One design racing in Key West now represents over two thirds of the fleet. Makoto Uematsu’s Swan 42 Esmeralda made a splash last January with a hard fought win in IRC 3. The Swan 42 Class Association, with 18 boats registered for their inaugural National Championship in Newport later this month, are pointing to their first one design start in Key West.

With their April, 2008 World Championship in Miami, the high profile Farr 40 class is expecting up to 30 entrants including 2001 World Champion and America’s Cup winner Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi, and current World Champion Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino.

The Melges 32 class will build on their 20 boat fleet from 2007. Claudio Recchi and his crew on Let’s Roll, dominant in both Key West and Miami last year, will be back to defend. The Melges 24 class will undoubtedly feature the biggest class in Key West for the 14th year running.

J/Boats will be well represented again with three one design starts (J/105, J/80, J/109) and their usual strong numbers of handicap and one design sub-classes such as the J/120 and the J/92s. Rounding off the one design racing will be the Mumm 30 and Corsair 28R classes.

Handicap Racing

IRC racing featured three competitive classes last year with a strong international flavor. Early indicators point to another solid international presence, including returning IRC 2 champion Colm Barrington (Dublin, Ireland).

The 2008 PHRF National Championship will again be decided in Key West. Last year’s six classes provided close racing with the last race in the 9-race series necessary to crown the inaugural champion, the Beneteau 10R NKE-Electronics from Annapolis, Maryland.

Mid-Winter Championship titles are on the line for six one design classes – Corsair 28R, J/109, J/105, J/80, Melges 24 and Melges 32.

The Acura Grand Prix Awards, presented to the combined class winners of Acura Key West and the Acura Miami Grand Prix (March 6 - 9, 2008), are highly regarded trophies on the international racing circuit. Perpetual awards are in the offing to the Farr 40, Melges 32 and two IRC classes.