Four Fishing Bay J/29s Compete at 2002 Key West Race Week
on Friday March 15, 2002 12:24AM
The weather at Key West Race Week is always the story and this year was no exception. The first and fifth days were better suited for sunbathingno wind and no races. Of course sunbathing is not bad in January. The second and fourth days had good tactical racing in light air. The middle day had medium to strong wind that resulted in a chop that was as challenging as any on the Chesapeake.
Three Long Island J/29s, Hustler (Tony and John Esposito), Tomahawk (Bruce Lockwood) and Showdown (Bijan Risadi), swept the top places at KWRC. The four Fishing Bay boats made a good showing in the middle of the 17-boat fleet. Patriot (Case Whittemore) was 5th, Killshot (Bob Wardwell) was 7th, Titillation (Paul Andersen) was 9th and Fast Lane (Jay McArdle) was 13th.Last year the leaders were deeply shuffled from one race to the next. This year was markedly different. Hustler won only 1 race but never finished below 3rd (average 2.17). Tomahawks results were more mixed with 3 bullets and a 6th and 7th (average 3.17). In third place, Showdowns average was 4.67. More typical was 4th place Breakaway (Leo Bonser, Solomons, Md.), which had 2 bullets, but a 10th and 12th (average 5,83). The top 5 were rounded out by Patriot, which suffered in the heavy air and chop (average 6.67).
KWRW continued to be a premier sailing event and showcase. It was the Melges 24 World Championship, which was delayed because of the events of September 11. Seventy-seven boats competed in just one class. That puts a real premium on starting. Other big classes were the J/105 with 28 boats, the Farr 40 with 25 boats and J/80 with 23 boats. The new J/109 made its debut and was open for inspection. The proposed Farr 36 design was also on display. KWRW is simply a magnificent event for sailboat racers from around the country and around the world.