Industry Partners:

Quantum Key West Race Week 2012 - 25th Anniversary!!

Key West, Fla. - North America's premiere annual big-boat regatta, Key West Race Week, has much to celebrate. A new Title Sponsor, early one design class and sponsor commitments, and exciting grand prix news are just some of the reasons that the 25th anniversary will be a memorable gathering.

Key West Race Week welcomes Quantum Sail Design Group as the Title Sponsor for 2012. Its support will enable Premiere Racing to produce another quality event in January, while working toward the goal of long-term viability for this renowned, international regatta.

Race dates for the week-long sailing event are January 16 – 20, 2012.

"We recognize that Key West Race Week is the flagship regatta in this country and has been for well over two decades," said Quantum President Ed Reynolds. "This has been reinforced by many people we’ve spoken with both here and abroad. Even with the smaller fleet sizes of recent years, this midwinter, big-boat regatta is very important to North American and international sailboat racing. We would like to see it continue and are committed to supporting the regatta during this transition period."

"We are very thankful to Quantum for stepping up to fill the important role of title sponsor. It's gratifying to know its fundamental reason for doing so is the continuation of Key West Race Week," said Premiere Racing’s Event Director Peter Craig. "As we work to develop a sustainable business model for the event, Quantum has solved a critical short-term need by serving as a bridge to the future."

IRC Racing

IRC Racing last January and again next year will be presented in the form of a Mini Maxi, TP52 (modified) class and a group of smaller boats in the 36' - 43' range. There are a number of new 52 owners in the U.S. this year, with many already expressing their intent to compete in Key West. The result will be a bigger 52 class next January. Jim Schwartz hopes to join the fray with his Botin Carkeek designed Vesper (former Audi Med Cup winner Quantum).

TP52 Class (modified)

Design debuts are a Key West hallmark. 2012 will undoubtedly feature more eye openers - big and small. Irvine Laidlaw has his new R/P 52 building at McConaghy in Zhuhai, China. First stop for Highland Fling XII will be Key West, Florida. "What better place to debut than Key West?" remarked Laidlaw a long time Key West competitor. "There is a resurgence of activity with both new construction and converted TP52s in the U.S. and there are likely to be 8-10 on the starting line next January."

Mini Maxi Class

Dan Meyers' J/V 66 Numbers prevailed in the big boat Mini Maxi class last January. "The racing was incredibly close with only two points separating the four boats in a 10-race series," Meyers commented. "Current World Champion RAN has already committed to Key West Race Week 2012 so the competitive bar has been raised another notch. Top flight competition, reliable breeze and professional race management – we can't wait." At this early date, Numbers, RAN and Shockwave have already committed to the 2012 event.

Interested in using IRC?

Owners and Organizing Authorities wishing to adopt IRC for their events should contact US-IRC Executive Director Luiz E. Kahl for help with the process luiz@us-irc.org.

The US SAILING Offshore office administers the IRC rule in the US. Yacht owners should contact Eric Baittinger at irc@ussailing.org for help with certificate application or with rating questions.

For all US-IRC latest news, events and seminars check out the US-IRC web site at www.us-irc.org and go racing with us.