Acura Key West 2006 - Preview

Racing sailors from 14 countries and a record 37 US states are streaming into beautiful Key West and a treasure chest of trophies awaits them.

Acura Key West 2006, presented by Nautica has a star-studded scratch sheet and 286 boats vying for 19 class championships and The Acura Trophy which will be awarded to the Boat of the Week.

But that is just the beginning of the list of honors and awards that will be presented when racing concludes on Friday January 20.

Sixteen Swans 45’s will compete for their second Gold Cup and their first official World Championship.

Mintaka, owned by Stefano Polti with tactician Francesco Bruni will be the Swan 45 to beat. The Gold Cup defender and current Italian National Champion leads a tough group of Italian entries which include brothers Massimo and Leonardo Massimo, owners of Bellicosa and Cour di Leone respectively. The UK, Japan and both US coasts are also represented.

The International Team Competition, now in its tenth year, has 10 three-boat teams ready to battle it out for The Nautica Trophy and Nautica timepieces. The Swan 45s are the “big boat anchor”, with Farr 40s and Melges 24s completing the teams.

IRC handicap racing is making its Key West debut this week with two classes. The 17 boats in the IRC1 and IRC 2 classes will be competing for the inaugural US-IRC National Championship Trophy which will be awarded at week’s end to the top boat in the combined IRC fleet.

IRC 1 features 10 high profile boats. Jim Swartz’s Swan 601 Moneypenny and Peter Ogden's UK Spirit of Jethou are coming off impressive performances at the Rolex Swan American and Rolex Swan European Regattas respectively. They share the starting line with a pair of ocean going Open 60s, a turbo sled, two Farr 60s, and custom built IRC and IMS designs.

Key West sets the stage for the Acura Grand Prix trophies awarded at the conclusion of Acura Miami Race Week (March 9 – 12). These prestigious awards debuted in 2005 and recognize the top boats with the best combined score from both Key West and Miami Race Weeks. Transpac 52s, Swan 45s, Farr 40s, J/105s, Mumm 30s and Melges 24s are currently eligible.

Both the Key West and Miami events are part of the new US-IRC Gulf Stream Series.

With their inaugural Global Championship later this winter at Acura Miami Race Week, the high octane TP52 class previews the top contenders. The new Rush with Tom Stark and tactician Ed Baird is one of the favorites for class honors and will face some tough competition from both the US and overseas contingents.

Acura Key West 2006 is the designated Mid-Winter Championships for the Melges 24s, C&C 99s, J/109s and J/80s. Always Key West’s largest fleet, the Melges 24 class features 60 entrants on the 2006 scratch sheet.

J/Boats have their usual impressive numbers with 3 one design classes (58 boats) and entries in 5 of the handicap classes (17 boats). The J/124 Wild Blue is making her debut in IRC2.

Each day the boat that triumphs in the most competitive class will be receive the Boat of the Day trophy, and with it a Nautica timepiece. Monday through Friday will be designated Nautica, The City of Key West, Mount Gay Rum, Industry Partner and Acura Day respectively.

The Key West Trophy recognizes the PHRF Boat of the Week. Last year, Jeff Ecklund’s Star prevailed in a tough 12-boat sport boat class to earn the Key West Trophy. The Melges 32s achieved one design status this year.

Title Sponsor Acura is the Official Vehicle. Presenting Sponsor Nautica represents the Official Timekeeper (Nautica Watches) and the Official Footwear. Day Sponsor Mount Gay® Rum is the Official Rum. Supporting sponsors are B&G (Official Marine Electronics), Lewmar (Official Marine Hardware), and Samson Rope Technologies (Official Cordage). Supplier Spaten is the Official Beer.

Acura Key West is also supported by The Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Council. The Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight is the Official Site.