Carrie Russell Account of Racing in Key West
on Wednesday March 2, 2016 07:58PM
Carrie Russell was at 2016 Key West Race Week racing on J/111 Wicked and here's her account of the experience:
Key West Race Week, hosted by Storm Trysail Club, took place January 17-22, 2016. It was a wet and wild week of top class boats competing in four Divisions on the Coke bottle green waters of Key West. With weather conditions described by Commander Weather as "juicy and unstable," it was just that. Predictions of 8-15 knots fell short; in reality 20+ knot breezes with close, steep chop seas were the norm for the week. Four courses of 130 boats participated. Hailing ports sounded more like a fast paced trip around the globe than a typical local regatta. California to Virginia, Brazil to Massachusetts, Russia to Italy and many ports in between.
Race Course 1 consisted of Maxi 72, IRC1, IRC2 and J111. I crewed aboard WICKED, a J111 South Dartmouth Massachusetts boat, dark green hull #30, owned and skippered by Doug Curtiss. The New England based crew, with ample seamanship experience and good nature, made for a fun week. Stu Johnston, brother of FBYC member Drake Johnston, was aboard along with other stellar sailors regular to the WICKED crew. The crew gelled as the week progressed. Team work, the ever important piece of the racing sailor's puzzle, along with rig tune and tactics made for daily learning opportunities. It was a fantastic experience with solid people and a splendid venue. Big or small regattas, crew advice is the same: show up prepared, on time and with a winning attitude and you will be asked back.
Of course, showing up with bottle of Russell small batch bourbon, Hubs peanuts amy have been helpful too...on to the NOODS!
Tags: kwrw