Key West Updates (Chronological Order)


Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 15:18:37 -0400
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman
Subject: Key West 2003 Update #1


Potential Key West Entrants and Friends:

This is the first Key West 2003 Update and is being sent to those
who attended in 2001 or 2002 or who have said they are going in
2003.  The dates in 2003 are January 20-24. I am starting the
2003 scratch list with the 28 boats from 2002 as well as four new
entries, KIMA, KINCSEM, CHARSAR and AMAZING GRACE.  If you would
like to be pulled off the e-mail list or the entry list, please
let me know. I think 35 boats in 2003 is a real possibility.

It's not too early to get housing.  Here are a few places to start:
   O'Berry Realty, now Century 21, 800-654-2781.
   Truman Annex or the Golf Club, Compass Realty, 800-290-4455.
   1800 Atlantic, 800-433-2819.

The J/105 site for 2002 is still available at j105.org/KWRW2002/.
The new site has been started at j105.org/KWRW2003/.  Check there
from the main j105.org menu (National -> Events pulldown) for
updates.

The J/105 Executive Committee has voted to go by the National
Rules without exception in 2003.  This means that if you want to
sail with six as in the past, you should start picking your crew
carefully based on the 1045 weight limit you use at home.  It
will be a Level A regatta, meaning at most one Group 2
participant and no Group 3s (pros).

Key West is a stand-alone regatta.  For now, please do not make
any assumptions about the St. Pete NOOD, SORC, or Charleston Race
Week with regard to whether they will use the National rules or
be a Level A regattas.

We would like to have dockage available at the Historic Seaport
for most of the boats.  We'd like to see everyone at the Key West
Bight, but there are also options up on Stock Island.  There is
dockage info posted on the premiere-racing.com site and you can
sign up now if you like.

There is always a list of veteran owners who may be willing to
join as crew or expense share.  Contact me if you need names or
if you want to be added to the list.

Cheers,
Nelson

PS:  Please send me e-mail if there are any questions or concerns.


Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 10:54:14 -0400
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman 
Subject: Key West 2003 Update #2 (REPLY REQUESTED)
Cc: j105caps:;
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Potential Key West Entrants and Friends:

I've heard from a couple of boats from 2001 that are
returning for 2003 (C-JEM and ECLIPSE).  I currently have
the 28 boats from 2002 and 8 new ones on our "very
tentative" entry list.

Now is the time to update your status.  If you participated
in 2002, please confirm your current status by replying with
a single word:

  YES!
  Likely
  Maybe
  Unlikely
  NO!

I'll only list the boats in the first three categories and
remove boats in the last two categories.  If you want me to
take you off this e-mail list, let me know that too.  Go to
http://j105.org/KWRW2003/ to check the entry list.

You should have started your planning by now.  Housing,
dockage, trailering, rigging, airline reservations, etc. 
Don't be left behind!

Dockage at the Historic Seaport is $1.85 per foot and is
first-come-first-served. You can reserve space by calling
(305) 296-3838.  The contact is Terri Gibson and e-mail is
keywestbightmarina@keywestcity.com.

I've posted Barry Brown's excellent article from the April
2002 Newsletter (Does Your Insurance Cover Towing?) in the
same place as the entry list (http://j105.org/KWRW2003/).

One piece of good news.  According to Jim Doane, Fleet #19
will be conducting SORC as a Level A regatta and using the
same format (class rules without exception) as KWRW.  The
NOR for Key West contain language about the level and the
rules in effect (Class rules dated February 15, 2002), so there
should be no questions about what the rules are for Key
West.  There may be some minor rule changes that go into
effect between KWRW and SORC, however.  Any changes will 
be posted well in advance, so watch j105.org.

Another piece of news is that we now have a "Regatta
Committee" which is a subcommittee of the National Executive
Committee consisting of the officers of the National Class.
For Key West, they will be approving all charter requests
and deciding any competitor eligibility issues that may come
up.

Please send me e-mail if there are any questions or
concerns.

Cheers,
Nelson

PS:  I'm copying this to all fleet captains in case they
know of likely participants that may not be on the entry list.


Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 11:40:16 -0400
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman <-nhw@ids.net>
Subject: Key West 2003 Update #3
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Potential Key West Entrants and Friends:

Your summer season should be winding down now and you may
be starting to think about the Mid-Winter Championships at
the Terra Nova Key West Regatta (they're telling me I have
to get the full name of the regatta correct).

I've gotten a good response from you all about your current
status and have that information posted on the web site at
http://j105.org/KWRW2003/.  As of this moment we seem to 
have the following:
     Yes: 23 (16 2002 returnees)
     Likely: 3 (3 2002 returnees)
     Maybe: 8 (4 2002 returnees)
     No: 5 (rest of the 2002 group)
So the current lineup of 26 likely boats, 19 are from last
year, one is from a previous year, and six are first timers.
I think at this early date it is reasonable to expect that
we will have high twenties or low thirties before January.

Here are the boats that I have listed as Yes or Likely.  If
there are any updates, please let me know:

MASQUERADE
GRAPENUTZ
WITCH
PLANET B
FLAME
ZUNI BEAR
MESSY JESSY
WET LEOPARD
ABSOLUTELY!
WET PAINT
GIGI
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
SCARAMOUCHE
CARESS
PUFFIN
HAZE III
IT WASN'T ME
TERN 7
ANGRY BEAVER
ECLIPSE
TRUE BALANCE
HOT WATER
KINCSEM
VITESSE EXTREME
CHARSAR
#603

If there is anything that I can do to help with logistics,
please let me know.  I know of a new Triad trailer for sale,
a condo available, and several owners who want to get on a
boat.

Cheers,
Nelson


Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 11:12:20 -0400
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman <-nhw@ids.net>
Subject: Key West 2003 Update #4
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Potential Key West Entrants and Friends:

The entry list is settling out.  Latest information always at
http://j105.org/KWRW2003/.  As of this moment we seem to 
have the following:
     Yes: 25
     Likely: 3
     Maybe: 3
So the current lineup has 28 likely boats, listed below.  If
there are any updates, please let me know.

MASQUERADE, WITCH, PLANET B, FLAME, ZUNI BEAR, MESSY JESSY,
WET LEOPARD, ABSOLUTELY!, WET PAINT, GONZO, GIGI, DEAD ON
ARRIVAL, SCARAMOUCHE, CARESS, PUFFIN, HAZE III, IT WASN'T
ME, TERN 7, ANGRY BEAVER, ECLIPSE, TRUE BALANCE, HOT WATER,
CYAN-KINCSEM, VITESSE EXTREME, PAPERMOON, SAVASANA, CHARSAR,
#603

It's time to start thinking about the "fun awards".  Building
on last year, here is what I had in mind:

--Mixed Gender (at least two crew of each gender)
--Family (husband-wife, siblings, parent-child, or 
    grandparent-grandchild)
--Five Aboard (sailing all races with five crew)
--Greybeard (at least two 55 or older -- upped the ante by 
    five years in 2003)
--Latitude 40 (boats homeported at 40 degrees North or greater, 
    check your GPS)
--Unqualified (not qualified for at least two of the above awards)
--Improvement (boat that most improved from first to last day of 
    racing)

Rules:  
1.  You can register for two of the first six awards for $10 fee.
2.  Everyone is registered for the seventh award ($100 gift 
    certificate) automatically.
3.  If you win daily or weekly silver from Premiere Racing you are 
    disqualified.
4.  If you win a fun award in the order listed, you are
    disqualified from subsequent fun awards.

I had some good suggestions last year prior to nailing these
down, so I'd like to hear of any suggested refinements. 
I'll have website registration as last year.

My list of people wishing to get on boats (and in some cases
willing to share expenses), has the following:
   Rich Walker, owner #194, MERLIN
   Tom Rolfes, owner #161, SIDEWINDER
   Keith Krause, crew #104, VYTIS
   Nelson Weiderman, owner #300, KIMA
   Mark Weiderman, crew #300, KIMA

Still trying to peddle a new trailer and a condo.

Cheers,
Nelson

 Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 15:51:40 -0500
 To: kwrw2003:;
 From: Nelson Weiderman <nhw@ids.net>
 Subject: Key West 2003 Update #5
 
 I'd like updates for entries. Latest information is always at
 http://j105.org/KWRW2003/. As of this moment we seem to 
 have the following:
 Yes: 26
 Likely: 3
 Maybe: 4
 
The current lineup has 29 likely boats, listed below. If your plans
 have changed, please let me know.
 
MASQUERADE, GRAPENUTZ, USA600, PLANET B, FLAME, ZUNI BEAR,
 MESSY JESSY, WET LEOPARD, ABSOLUTELY!, WET PAINT, GONZO,
 GIGI, DEAD ON ARRIVAL, SCARAMOUCHE, CARESS, PUFFIN, HAZE
 III, IT WASN'T ME, TERN 7, ANGRY BEAVER, ECLIPSE, TRUE
 BALANCE, HOT WATER, CYAN-KINCSEM, VITESSE EXTREME,
 PAPERMOON, SAVASANA, CHARSAR, USA603
 
The MAYBEs need to fish or cut bait. If you do not confirm, I'll take you 
 off the list for the next update (you can remain on the mailing list):
 
TASTES LIKE CHICKEN, ODYSSEY, C-JEM, GROOVADOR.

 I got no feedback about the "fun awards", so I will keep those categories  
 and start working on the on-line registration form. I'll still take comments,
 however.

 Here's some of the latest news from Premiere Racing:
 
o The entry deadline is December 11, 2002 with a cutoff set
    at 350 boats. Late fees apply after 12/11/2002.
 o The J/105s will be in Division 3 with Melges 24s and J/80s.
 o There will be four Divisions running from left to right on
     the map (west to east). 
 o If you have a chart, our circle will be "East of the main
     ship channel, approximately 2.2 NM Southeast of buoy G'9'"
 o This year the Saucony "Make-Weight 5K" fun run will be run
     on Sunday. Weigh in at the finish line immediately following
     the race.
 
One thing that we need desperately is a volunteer to organize one
 social event during the week. This could be a cocktail party at your
 condo or at raft of J/105s, a dinner at your house or restaurant, or 
 a trip to the beach. I expect JBoats will have their tent where people 
 can meet, but it would be nice to have some casual "face time" other  
 than on the protest room. Nah ... let's not go there!
 Still lots of folk wanting to be on a boat. Let me know if you need
 crew. As always, let me know if you have any questions or problems.
 
Cheers,
 Nelson  

 Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2002 10:50:34 -0500
 To: kwrw2003:;
 From: Nelson Weiderman <nhw@ids.net>
 Subject: Key West 2003 Update #6
Key West Entrants and Friends:

   Can you believe that in two months from today we'll be on
   the water in Key West? It looks like we will be setting a
   new attendance record. After getting all the "likelies" and
   the "maybes" off the dime, I have a list of 30 entries. And
   there are still a couple of owners trying like heck to join
   us if they can find charters or get their boats to Key West
   on time.

   Here are the thirty in hull number order:

   MASQUERADE, ECLIPSE, GUMPTION, GRAPENUTZ, TRUE BALANCE,
   PLANET B, CYAN-KINCSEM, HOT WATER, FLAME, ZUNI BEAR, MESSY
   JESSY, WET LEOPARD, ABSOLUTELY!, WET PAINT, GONZO, GIGI,
   DEAD ON ARRIVAL, CARESS, VITESSE EXTREME, PUFFIN, HAZE III,
   IT WASN'T ME, PAPERMOON, TERN 7, ANGRY BEAVER, SAVASANA,
   CHARSAR, GHOST, and USA603.

   Of these thirty, Tom Coates is the only owner who has made
   all four previous KWRW Regattas. Jim Sorensen, Jim Doane,
   Don Priestly, and Brian Tedeschi each have three. There are
   only 9 of the 30 that are first timers. The web site now
   lists previous participation and previous best performance
   as well as having a checklist for your entry and declarations.

   We have 13 fleets represented (compared to ten at the North
   American Championship) with Low Country taking top honors
   with 6 boats. A complete breakdown can be found on the entry
   list. Chicago is second with four and Long Island Sound,
   Narragansett Bay, and Florida are tied with three. The lone
   disappointment of the active fleets is Annapolis, home of
   our NA Champion, which doesn't have a team. Can anybody 
   work on those guys?
 
  So now is the time to start the paperwork flowing to the
   Secretary. If you know your crew, fill in the crew
   declaration. If you know what sails you will be using, fill
   in the sail declaration. And by all means, declare for the fun
   awards! There are on-line forms for all three at
   http://j105.org/KWRW2003/. It takes only a few minutes to
   fill them out and they are e-mailed to me with a copy going
   to you.

   We are still working on the measurement/inspection protocol
   that will be used on site, but the greater your cooperation
   in filling out the declarations, the easier it will be in
   Key West. Premiere Racing will be doing the weigh-ins. And
   yes, for all that continue to ask, we will be sailing by the
   Class Rules without exception.

   Fifteen boats were registered with Premiere Racing as of 15
   November. The deadline for the rest of you is December 11
   or at 350 boats, whichever comes first. Don't delay!

   I haven't had any responses about a social event. Any
   interest out there?

   Still lots of folks available who want to be on a boat. Let
   me know if you need crew or have any questions or problems. 
   Especially let me know if you know of any owners who would
   like to charter to another owner.

   Cheers,
   Nelson

Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2002 11:35:03 -0500
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman <nhw@ids.net>
Subject: Key West Race Week Update #7 (Please reply)
Key West Entrants and Friends:

   Premiere Racing updated their entries received as of
   yesterday. There were 22 on their list. You need to
   get your entry in by the deadline on December 11, 2002, 
   so don't forget it in the Christmas rush.

   Here are the boats that Premiere doesn't have yet:
   ECLIPSE, CYAN-KINCSEM, ZUNI BEAR, GONZO, CARESS, 
   HAZE III, TERN 7, ANGRY BEAVER, and USA603.

   The declarations have started to trickle in. I have 8
   so there are only about 72 more left. Go to 
   http://j105.org/KWRW2003/ to fill out the on-line crew,
   sail, and fun declarations as soon as you have the 
   required information.

   People have been asking how many boats to expect at the
   St. Pete NOOD (14-16 Feb) and SORC (26 Feb to 2 Mar).
   (I hear Peter Regio will be back from his AC duty to be the
   PRO at SORC.)

   Please reply to this e-mail to let me know whether or 
   not you plan to attend either or both of these regattas.

   Cheers,
   Nelson


Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 11:19:10 -0500
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman
Subject: Key West 2003 Update #8


Key West Entrants and Friends:

At deadline, we had 29 entries which could very well be our
final total.  Our defending champion, Robert Johnstone has
sold TERN 7 and won't be competing.  Larry Harvey of ANGRY
BEAVER will be having an operation and will not be joining 
us either.  On the plus side, we have an entry from The
Netherlands, Walter Guerts, in NO FACE 2 FACE.

Of considerable note is that the J/105 Class, thus far, is 
the only one-design class to have a bigger number than last
year.  Farr's are down, Mumm's are down, Melgi are down, 1D35's
are way down, IMS is down, J/29's are down.  Only the Corsairs 
and the J/80's (as well as PHRF classes all combined) have 
equaled last  year's numbers.  Perhaps they are all used to 
paying late fees?  At any rate, it appears that our Class is 
alive and well despite the poor economy.

I've just updated the declaration status on 
http://j105.org/KWRW2003/.  So far I have received 20 of the 
87 declarations.

Cheers,
Nelson


Date: Mon, 30 Dec 2002 12:10:26 -0500
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman
Subject: Key West Race Week 2003 Update #9


Key West Entrants:

It's time to get serious about sending in your declarations.

Here are the 8 boats that have completed paperwork (21 have
not):
MAX POWER, TRUE BALANCE, PLANET B, HOT WATER, GIGI, IT WASN'T
ME, CHARSAR, & GHOST.

It's also time to get serious about SORC.  It's an easy three
day regatta in Miami for those coming back from Key West.  The
dates are 28 February to 2 March.  Last year we had 11 boats
and there is no reason we can't get more this year.  Contact
Jim Doane at sailinjed@aol.com or check the web site at:
http://www.acurasorc.com/.


I've just updated the declaration status on 
http://j105.org/KWRW2003/.  So far I have received 31 of the 
87 declarations.

Cheers,
Nelson

Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2003 10:24:23 -0500
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman
Subject: Key West Race Week 2003 Update #10


Key West Entrants:

It starts two weeks from today!

I've received 42 of the 87 declarations and have just updated the
entry list.  Please try you get yours in this week if you haven't
already done so.

I've also ordered the trophies for the fun awards.  The Class
is covering some of the cost of these and they are very classy.
Please give yourself a chance to win one by entering.  You get
three chances (for seven awards) for only $10.  If payment is a
problem, you can pay me at Key West or you can even apply for a
grant ;-).  It only takes one minute to enter.

Because of the reduced level of the 1D35 entries, there are some
prime slips available.  See the note from Peter Craig below.

For everything, go to:  http://j105.org/KWRW2003/. 

Factoid of the day:  One boat has 5 attorneys aboard.  Must be
fun to have a rules discussion on that boat!

Cheers,
Nelson


>Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 11:44:15 -0500
>From: Peter Craig 
>Subject: Key West Slips
>Sender: Peter Craig 
>To: "Weiderman, Nelson" 
>Cc: "Johnstone, Jeff" 
>X-Spam-Status: No, hits=0.0 required=5.0 tests= version=2.20
>X-Spam-Level:
>
>Hi Nelson
>
>I know most of your guys are already set, but there is a great opportunity
>for slips at the Conch Repulic Seafood Company docks in the Historic Seport
>Marina due to the 1D35 class falling short on entries.
>
>They have 5-6 slips available.
>
>The guy handling the slips is a day manager at the restaurant - Scott
>Greager:
>Day:  305-294-4090
>Fax:  305-296-4330
>
>Might be worth posting on your web site or you sending a group email to
>your 2003 entrants.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Peter
>
>Peter S. Craig
>Premiere Racing, Inc.
>781/639-9545


Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 11:52:43 -0500
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderm <nhw@ids.net>
Subject: Key West Race Week Update #11


Key West Entrants:

It starts one weeks from today!  Lots of declarations came
in this week.  Here's the recap:

Crew:  Missing SAVASANA, CYAN

Note that you still have a required weigh-in.  According to
my NOR it will be held on Sunday 0900-1800.

Sails:  Missing MASQUERADE, GUMPTION, RUM AT SIX, CYAN, and
FLAME

Fun:  Missing MASQUERADE, GUMPTION, FLAME, ZUNI, ABSOLUTELY,
DEAD ON ARRIVAL, PUFFIN, HAZE, SAVASANA, RUM AT SIX, CYAN.

Note that even if you do not qualify for any of the five
sub-categories of fun awards, you ARE ALL qualified for the
UNQUALIFIED and the IMPROVEMENT awards.  Not mandatory, but
how can you be against some fun?  The current lineup is:

  FIVE ABOARD  9
  LATITUDE 40  9
  FAMILY       8
  GREYBEARD    1
  MIXED GENDER 3
  UNQUALIFIED  6
  IMPROVEMENT 19
  
I've unilaterally decided to balance the categories better
by reducing the requirement for GREYBEARDS from two crew
over 55 to two crew over 50. If you'd like to switch to
GREYBEARD from either FIVE ABOARD, LATITUDE 40, or FAMILY,
please let me know.

The regatta measurers will be Nelson Weiderman, Joerg Esdorn
and Jeff Johnstone.  Our goal is to make the measurement
process as transparent as possible, while having a high
degree of confidence that everyone is playing by the same
class rules. We will be doing spot inspections of floatlines
(and certificates), sails tags, headstays, and equipment
aboard on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the locations
specified on your crew declaration. If you have not
submitted declarations, you will have a mandatory inspection
rather than being randomly chosen (we will find you). We
will also inspect the three top boats immediately after the first
day of racing.  Nelson will be reachable on his cell
(401.595.4071) if you have questions or concerns.  He will
also be available on Friday and Saturday afternoon for
floatline applications and/or inspections by appointment.

Dick Starita needs some help finding an "under 160" crew.  If
you can help, call him at 772-486-5220 (housing furnished).

If you have any flu or injury dropouts, my son and I are
available to fill in at the last minute.  We weigh about 200
and 190 respectively and can work most positions on the
boat.

Everything you need is at http://j105.org/KWRW2003/

Cheers,
Nelson


Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 10:56:20 -0500
To: kwrw2003:;
From: Nelson Weiderman <nhw@ids.net>
Subject: Key West Race Week 2003 Update #12 (and last!)


Key West Entrants:

This will be my last update.  Thank you all for
your cooperation and patience.

You are investing a lot to get to Key West and
back, so remember not to take the racing too
seriously and have fun while you are enjoying the
weather far from the frozen north.  Play by the
rules, do your turns if you make a mistake, and
take the time to meet your fellow competitors.

Here are a few tips and reminders:

1.  After the racing you can meet J/105 sailors at
the JBoats tent outside the big tent, and at the
Half Shell Raw Bar which is between the tent and
the Historic Seaport moorings (end of Margaret
St.)  Great deals on oysters before 6 p.m.

2.  The weather is almost always warm (unlike
Miami). Rarely will you need more than a t-shirt
and shorts, even at night.  But if there's a cool
snap, have a sweater or sweatshirt ready.

3.  If you've never done it, you can't miss sunset
at Mallory Square.  The street performers are a
hoot.

4.  If you're the serious racer, click your way
from the link below to the KWRW 2002 information
where you will find some tips from last year's
winner, Bob Johnstone. And my daily commentaries
from last year might even shed some light.

Everything you need is at http://j105.org/KWRW2003/.
I'll be posting daily commentary there.

Cheers,
Nelson

PS:  Those who have not submitted all their
paperwork (there are always a few laggards), you
have until 5 p.m today.  I'm packing it in early
because I have a 6 a.m. flight in the morning.