sailfastchicago.com

Category: Key West Race Week (KWRW)

  • Acura Key West Race 2008:
    Day 1 Updates

    Day 1 began under AP flag and postponement until 11AM, with hopes that a passing front and high winds would diminish.

    Reduced winds were observed, and boats on all four courses (except Corsair 28R class) set sail, but as wind continued to increase, ultimately, all racing was abandoned for the day.

    “The early forecasts were not good but was looking promising from 0800-1100 with our two boats on station reporting wind velocity and sea state less than that predicted. By late morning our forecasters thought the bottom end of their predicted wind range would be what we’d see, making the decision to head out a logical one. With the C28R class having a 22kts upper end, the decision was made to keep them on the beach. It wasn’t until noon, after the Division 1 Signal Boat was on station for a bit, that they started recording puffs above 28kts – the Melges 32 class dictated upper end – hence the call to send them home before the rest of the fleet. At 12:30 all PRO’s reported conditions “on the edge” of what one would want to start a race in. This coupled with the fact that it’s Monday with 4 days of racing left made it a bit easier decision for us to abandon before we got in a sequence.” ~ Peter Craig, Event Director

    For more online coverage, please visit these recommended links:

    Premiere Racing – www.premiere-racing.com

  • Race Course Blogs – highly recommended for anyone interested in up-to-the-minute action.
  • RESULTS and REPORTS
  • PHOTO GALLERY

    • Sailing World – www.sailingworld.com

  • Sailing World is one of the worst-designed websites on earth to navigate! LOL… but seriously, it’s no joke. We’ll roll the dice and hope this is the best link to find Key West Race Week news over there: Key West 2008 Blog …but keep hunting, there may be more articles buried somewhere else on sailingworld.com!

    • Paul Cayard – www.cayardsailing.com

  • Paul Cayard’s 2008 Key West Race Week blog reports are easily found on his home page… for now, at least. But we’ve provided a direct link so you can find them after the links have aged into the depths of his website.

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    Melges 32, Savannah, Sail Number USA 140

     
    Check out the photo sequence of Melges 32 Savannah, sail number USA 140, wiping out during spinnaker practice after race abandonment on 2008 KWRW Day 1: http://picasaweb.google.com/georgeatwood/KWRW

    (more…)

  • Sub-Zero Temperatures in Chicago, As Key West Race Week Begins

    Acura Key West Race 2008 presented by Nautica

    Chicago endured sub-zero temperatures as the coldest days of the winter season arrive here.

    Chicago NOAA weather data

    The automated NOAA weather station located on the Harrison-Dever Crib stopped transmitting data this morning around 8 AM CST. It is unknown whether the fault was due to the extreme cold weather, but it is a likely explanation. We all rely on this important source of weather data during the sailing season, which holds our interest during the cold winter months when the local weather doesn’t allow sailing. We hope it is fixed and online again soon.

    Chicago NOAA webcam image

    Meanwhile, the Acura Key West Race 2008 presented by Nautica begins tomorrow. Boats and sailors have been arriving during the week. Winds were gusting to 35+ knots on the last full practice day, as many crews opted to finish preparing their boats onshore rather than go out sailing.

  • Key West Attitude Party

     

    2008 Key West Race Week (KWRW) banner

     

    2008 Key West Race Week (KWRW) rum tent party (2007 photo)

     

    Goose Island Beer Company

     

    The infamous, fun-filled, action-packed annual Key West Race Week send-off party for Chicago racers continues…

    KWRW was originally founded by Chicago sailors, and over the years Chicago has had a very strong presence represented among the competing boats. Chicago participation seems to have declined in the past few years, however. Perhaps that is partial inspiration for the small name change for the Key West party. Anyhow, the annual Key West party in Chicago is always a fun gathering of sailors and friends.

    Hope to see everyone there!

    Here’s the announcement, courtesy Tony Bowker of Goose Island Brewpubs:

    Goose Island Brewpubs are once again hosting a winter ‘ice breaker’ with the support of our friends at Mount Gay Rum. The invitation follows. I hope to see you there.
    Cheers!
    Tony

    Sailor, relieve your cabin fever at the umpteenth annual Key West Race Week Kick-Off Party. This is for everyone with a Key West attitude, not only for those lucky enough to have a KW ride, or sporting enough to have sent their own boat.

    Please note the change of venue to:

    Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 North Clark St.
    (Red Line to Addison or park in the lot on Addison opposite Wrigley Field)

    Friday, January 11th – 6pm
    Map: link

    As usual, you can drink Mount Gay Rum cocktails for a cause and enjoy special pitchers of Goose Island’s ales, locally crafted form the waters of Lake Michigan.

    Everyone welcome. Even power boaters! Just make sure they can navigate to Wrigleyville, not the pub on Clybourn.