LYC Sailors Compete at Key West Race Week

January 18-22, 2010

Key West, FL

 

LYC had a strong presence at 2010 Key West Race Week, with race committee volunteers and sailors alike seeking refuge in the warm Florida sunshine.  Although the entrants were down, the competition was still very strong, especially in the J/80 class, where Kerry Klingler’s Lifted and Michael Zupon’s Juggernaut competed, and in the Melges 32 class with LYC’s Jason Carroll’s Argo.  Winter Sailing chairman Nick Langone made his tenth annual trek to the Keys to add his race management prowess to the Division 1 circle and LYC Protest Committee chair Mary Savage was on hand as one of the event’s judges. 

 

   Juggernaut rounds the windward mark in a pack at Key West. 

   Photo by Allen Clark / photoboat.com

 

This year was as a kinder, gentler Key West Race Week as the breeze never topped 18 knots, with the majority of the races sailed in lighter air.  The race organizers were able to complete the planned slate of 10 races, with 2 races sailed each day.  The wind was some of the steadiest in direction in years, making the regatta more of a boatspeed contest than a tactical one.

The J/80 was one of the biggest classes at Key West and the competition was intense, as many teams started their campaigns for the 2010 World Championships, to be held in Newport.  Klingler sailed an excellent regatta, finishing in a tie for fourth in the 19-boat class.  Michael Zupon, sailing with son Ryan, John McAndrews, and LYC Sailing Director Lincoln White also had a strong regatta, finishing eighth.  The class was won by longtime Klingler rival Glen Darden from Texas.

 

   Jason Carroll and the Argonauts working hard to stay flat in

   the Key West breezes.

 

The Melges 32 class was the biggest at Key West, with 22 boats getting a jump on 2010 World Championship campaigning for San Francisco this fall.  After a strong 2009, Jason Carroll’s Argo came back down to earth, finishing a disappointing 16th.  Jason was joined by tactician John Baxter, Molly Baxter, Chad Corning, Dan Litchfield and Patrick Mauro – LYC Members all.  Team Argo hopes to get back on track in early March when the class will assemble at the Miami Grand Prix.

For complete results and photos, please visit the event website.