KEY WEST, FL, USA-(29-10-2002) When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame, sailors
have no time for the waiting game. Across North America and around the
world, they're making preparations for Terra Nova Trading Key West, the
premier winter regatta.
Among the early entries, which are on pace to see a third consecutive 300+
boat fleet, is Dr. Wolfgang Schaefer of Kiel, Germany, who has blood in his
eye.
`I am coming back,` said Schaefer, whose Farr 40, Struntje light, came on
strong with first and second-place finishes in the last two races last
January to place third in the marquee class. Farr 40 owners must drive their
boats, but Schaefer has added impressive brainpower to his afterguard: Iain
Percy of Britain, the new Star class world champion and 2000 Olympic gold
medallist in the Finn class.
`We did the European circuit and the European championship in Porto Cervo
where we finished second,` Schaefer said, `losing the championship in the
last race.`
Struntje light will try to wrest the title from the three-year grip of Greek
banker George Andreadis' Atalanti XI. The Farr 40s should be on their games
following their world championship in the Bahamas in November. Always an
outstanding tacticians' showcase, Key West's Farr 40 class will feature the
likes of Paul Cayard on John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti and Andreadis' Robbie
Haines.
They'll be joined by Holland's Peter De Ridder, the longtime `Mean Machine`
campaigner in many classes making his Farr 40 debut.
Schaefer, who operates a medical clinic in Lueneburg, near Hamburg, also is
a member of the management committee of the Offshore Racing Council and the
Offshore Committee of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
Others coming from abroad include Italy's 1-2 finishers in September's Mumm
30 Worlds, Guiseppe Abba's Alina and Paolo Cristofori's Printel Wind, and
Britain's Jamie Lea, Rob Smith and Stuart Rix, currently the top three in
the Melges 24 world rankings.
Domestically, a flood of boats will be hitting the Interstate highways east
and south. The J/105 class, led by Robert Johnstone's two-time defending
champion, Tern 7, from Charleston, S.C., will need extra parking space for
30 or more trailers.
Invited one-design classes include the 1D35, Farr 40, J/105, J/80, J/29,
Mumm 30, Melges 24 and Corsair 28R trimarans. J/120's and Tartan Ten's are
working to build their numbers to one-design class status this year. The
current entry list is available on the event web site.
Corsair Marine is offering special incentives. The company will pay the
entry fee for a 28R ordered before Nov. 30 and also buy new sails for the
first two of those orders.
Handicap racing promises some great matchups.
Mike Campbell's dark blue Victoria 5 is one of three Transpac 52s, along
with Roger Sturgeon's Rosebud and David Janes's J-Bird III, making their
East Coast debut and bent on showing the rest of the world the reason for
all the West Coast excitement about the new class.
Britain's Markus Fiala, who will be racing Tazo, one of the new Farr 36s.
Two have been built---Farr International's President Geoff Stagg owns No.
1---and both are entered. Two more may race at Key West if they're built in
time.
Sponsors include Terra Nova Trading L.L.C., Mount Gay Rum, RealTick(r),
Lewmar Marine, Nautica Watches and Eyewear, Pearson Yachts, Samson Rope
Technologies, Saucony and the Florida Keys & Key West Tourist Development
Council. The Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight is the Official Site.
The Performance Sailing Industry Partner Program is in its second year, with
22 members at press time. Members and details are on the event web site.
Racing is scheduled Monday through Friday, Jan. 20-24, on four circles off
the south shore of the island. Registration is on Sunday, Jan. 19. The
regatta is open to entries in PHRF, one-design and IMS classes of 24 to 85
feet LOA. PHRF entries must have a rating of 175 or lower. The entry limit
is 350, and the first entry deadline is Dec. 11 at 1700 EST.
High-resolution action photographs taken by Official Photographer Walter
Cooper at last January's regatta are available to qualified media for
pre-event coverage. Please contact Rich Roberts.
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