| 18.Jul.2006 | Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 08:50:43 -0400 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: KWRW 2007 -- Update #1 Key Westers and Wannabees, Here's my initial list of likely returning boats (I've heard from the ones with asterisks -- all but RAPID TRANSIT) and almost all are confirmed to return: ALLEGIANCE*, BAT IV*, CHEMICALLY ADJUSTED*, COLTRANE*, CONVEXITY*, EAGLES WINGS*, FLAME*, FORERUNNER*, GHOST*, GRACE O'MALLEY*, GUMPTION*, J'MAKIN' WAVES*, JATO*, JAVA*, JESTER*, MASQUERADE*, MAX POWER*, PUFFIN*, RAPID TRANSIT, RUM AT SIX*, SAVASANA*, TWISTED LIZARD*, VINDICATOR*, VMAX*, WASABI*, WIND CZAR*, ZUNI BEAR*. These are the new boats or boats returning from a previous year -- either confirmed or likely. I've heard from them all: CHILE PEPPER*, ECLIPSE*, KINCSEM*, MERRYTHOUGHT*, MOPELIA*, ORANGUTAN*, PASSION*, ROCK & ROLL*, TENACIOUS*, TOLO* So the total count is now at 30 confirmed (90% or better chance) and 7 more at 50% or better. This includes the possibility of a second USNA boat (MERRRYTHOUHGHT) in 2007. So even at this early stage it is looking like an up year with mid-thirties to forty boats in January. Last year I had many more on the list that had not communicated their plans, so this year I am feeling that the list is a bit more solid. Here's where to find the current list: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/entries.php I've been asked lots of questions about logistics -- housing, dockage, rigging, etc. Happy to answer any and all. But many of these questions can be answered from the Premiere-Racing site or our own Southern Circuit page. Here are the links: http://www.premiere-racing.com/keywest07/pages/KW07_index.htm http://www.j105.org/racing/kwrw.php Most importantly at this stage is to put me into contact with those owners who are considering the trip down to Key West. If they are not on my list and might be, refer them to nelson@j105.org or just send their name to me. Next update in about a month. Cheers, Nelson |
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| 28.Aug.2006 | Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 21:03:58 -0400 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #2 Key Westers and Wannabees, I just got my Acura KWRW 2007 Offical Notice and Conditions of Race in the mail, so I thought this would be a good time to send another update. Here's my current list of likely returning boats (I've heard from the ones with asterisks -- all but RAPID TRANSIT) and almost all are confirmed to return: ALLEGIANCE*, BAMBINO*, BAT IV*, CHEMICALLY ADJUSTED*, COLTRANE*, CONVEXITY*, EAGLES WINGS*, FLAME*, FORERUNNER*, GHOST*, GRACE O'MALLEY*, GUMPTION*, J'MAKIN' WAVES*, JATO*, JAVA*, JESTER*, MASQUERADE*, MAX POWER*, PUFFIN*, RAPID TRANSIT, RUM AT SIX*, SAVASANA*, TWISTED LIZARD*, VINDICATOR*, VMAX*, WASABI*, WIND CZAR*, ZUNI BEAR*. These are the new boats or boats returning from a previous year -- either confirmed or likely. I've heard from them all: CHILE PEPPER*, ECLIPSE*, KATANA*, KINCSEM*, MERRYTHOUGHT*, MESSY JESSY*, MOPELIA*, ORANGUTAN*, PASSION*, ROCK & ROLL*, TENACIOUS*, TOLO* So of these 40, 31 are confirmed to attend, seven are likely. So we should be well into the thirties and well above the 29 of last year. Please let me know if your status should be changed on the list here: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/entries.php One important point is about Miami Race Week. There will be only four classes allowed because of space restrictions. The J/105 will be one of those classes if we can confirm ten boats. So now is the time to declare your intention to be at MRW. Let's make this happen. We've decided to race three days rather than four to encourage more participation. Please let me know! The dates are March 9-11. At its 8/8 meeting the Executive Committee decided to include the same four regattas in the Southern Circuit (with nearly the same scoring regime), that MRW would be three days, and that KWRW would be an "owner aboard" event as defined in Rule 3.6. Next update in about a month. All the Southern Circuit info is here: http://www.j105.org/racing/kwrw.php Cheers, Nelson |
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| 13.Sep.2006 | Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:47:37 -0400 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #3 Southern Circuit Folks, Since Update #2 we've had one addition (CURRENT OBSESSION II) to the Key West list, making 39 confirmed or very likely. See the list at: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/entries.php The clock is ticking on the possibility of us being eliminated from Miami Race Week. To date I have commitments from only six boats: GUMPTION, EAGLES WINGS, VMAX, RUM AT SIX, KATANA, and VINDICATOR. I figure we need at least four more boats to step up by the end of September to make the cut for the four classes that Premiere-Racing plans to host at Miami Race Week. So if you are hanging in the wings, please decide now, or there will be no decision to make. Please respond if you are planning or considering MRW. In the next update I should have the final decision after talking to Peter Craig. Miami Race Week is March 9-11, 2007. Cheers, Nelson |
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| 03.Oct.2006 | Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 15:30:37 -0400 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #4 Unfortunately I must announce that the Southern Circuit will not include Miami Race Week this year even though we had 10-11 boats committed. I was notified by Peter Craig by e-mail yesterday and talked to him today. The reasons that we cannot be accommodated are many and varied. There are some that Peter cannot put in writing, but it all relates to Premiere-Racing's desire to put on a top notch, affordable regatta for all who attend. Here is the link to Peter's e-mail which he agreed to let me share with you. If you have questions, I'll try to answer them, but I think the e-mail speaks for itself. http://j105.org/KWRW2007/petercraig.pdf So that leaves us with three events for the Southern Circuit -- Key West, St. Pete NOOD, and Charleston Race Week. Two will be required to qualify and we will make the tweaks official at the J/105 Class Annual Meeting in Annapolis on October 26. I hope that this will get us a few extra boats for St. Pete, which had 15 entries last year. As for KWRW, we are still hanging right around 40 despite one recent defection. Check your status here: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/entries.php Cheers, Nelson |
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| 21.Nov.2006 | Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:03:06 -0500 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #6 Key Westers and Wannabees, We've had quite a few dropouts from the "confirmed" list (more than I would have expected) and we seem to be homing in on the number 35. I've pruned out all the possibles and likelies (some joined the confirmed list). So here is the consolidated list with those registered already with Premiere-Racing given the asterisks (twenty three of you as of 11/17): ALLEGIANCE, BAMBINO, BAT IV*, BLINK*, COLTRANE*, CONVEXITY, DREADNAUGHT, EAGLES WINGS, ECLIPSE*, FORERUNNER, GHOST*, GRACE O'MALLEY, GUMPTION*, JABBERWOCKY*, JAVA, KATANA*, MASQUERADE*, MAX POWER, MONKEYSHINES*, MOPELIA*, ORANGUTAN*, PASSION*, PERSEVERENCE", PUFFIN, ROCK & ROLL*, ROE RAGE*, RUM AT SIX*, SAVASANA*, TENACIOUS*, TOLO*, VINDICATOR, VMAX*, WASABI*, WIND CZAR*, ZUNI BEAR. Our list is at: http://j105.org/KWRW2007/entries.php Premiere-Racing's list is at: http://premiere-racing.com/keywest07/pages/KW07_entries.htm If your name does not have an asterisk above, you need to get your entry in before the no penalty fee deadline of December 8. Remember your regatta fee is for the 30'-34' length, not the 35'-39' length. You can register on-line here: http://keywest.perfectprize.com/. Next time I will have our registration requirements. You will need to fill in two forms, one for your boat and sails and one for your crew. You will need to check that all your sails are registered here: http://www.j105.org/members/sail_tag_list.php You will also need to know the names, assigned weights, and occupations of all your crew. Remember that this is a Class A regatta, meaning that there is at most one Group 2 allowed. All the others must be Group 1 (non-sailing industry). There will be a weigh-in at the Regatta. Those in the sailing industry must register with ISAF here: http://www.isaf.org/isafsailor/register.asp You will also be given an opportunity to schedule an inspection on the Saturday or Sunday before the regatta. Finally, here is my short list of classifieds: "My bowman on Arbitrage in San Francisco, Bob Dearborn is looking for a slot on a J/105 at KRWR. He weighs around 196 but could likely lose a few if needed." Contact Bruce Stone: bruce@brucestone.com. Bruce Whiteway, owner of FAST FORWARD in Chicago, would like to charter a boat for the St. Pete NOOD. If you are interested in chartering your boat to Bruce, contact him at 708-641-0615 or bjw@mc.net. Cheeers, Nelson PS: The 2007 J/105 Calendars are selling like hotcakes. Don't miss out! Buy them for your crew for the holidays here: http://www.j105.org/merchandise/index.php |
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| 18.Dec.2006 | Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 10:29:12 -0500 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #8 Key Westers and Wannabees, I don't know what's going on with BAMBINO (not registered), but we have one additional boat named WARLOCK being brought down from NY. So we have 35 registered with Premiere-Racing. Some history. Over the last seven years the attendance overall at KWRW has been 326, 321, 290, 301, 295, 285, and 257 (so far). For the 105's it has been 25, 28, 29, 29, 40, 29, and 35 (so far). Significantly, while KWRW hit its high in 2001 and we had our high in 2005. Also, we are currently at 87.5% of our high and Premiere-Racing is at 80% of their high. Not too shabby for the J/105 class! We trail only the Melges fleet (46 boats) among the one-design classes. Others: Melges 32s 20, Farr 40's 19, J/80s 17, Mumm 30's 10, J/109s 10. All the declaration forms are now ready. Crew declaration (you need to know the names, approximate weights, occupations, and professional status of your crews as well as a local (or cell) phone number and the docking location of your boat): http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/crew.php Sail declarations (you only need to have your tags registered on the web and you can choose from the list of sails belonging to your boat): http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/sails.php If you haven't signed up for an inspection time go here: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/inspections.php To sign up for fun awards, go here: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/fun.php To see the status of all your paperwork, go here: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/status.php As always all these links (and more) are on our main page for the Southern Circuit here: http://www.j105.org/racing/kwrw.php It appears that the parties will be Saturday night at the Schooner Wharf Bar (we will provide the appetizers and you will buy the beer) and Thursday night at the JBoats tent (sponsored by JBoats). More details to come. Here's a good map of the wharf area: http://www.premiere-racing.com/keywest07/graphics/AKW07_NOR_site_map.jpg Karen Yingling has asked me to pass along that there are two slips available at the Conch Republic at a cost of $5 per foot per day. If anyone would like a true slip rather than a raft up, please contact her at Karen@jconcierge.com. One of the slips can also accommodate a RIB rafted-up next to it. As of now, the plan is for the inspections to be at the Historic Seaport. Those boats rafted there will not have to move. Those boats not there will have to come there to raft up for inspection (unless you make special arrangements). Have a great holiday! Cheers, Nelson |
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| 29.Dec.2006 | Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:15:52 -0500 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #9 Key Westers and Wannabees, ORANGUTAN disappeared from the P-R list, so they may have scratched. I've not heard from them. We now have 34 on the entry list. The following boats still have not signed up for inspection slots: BAT IV, ZUNI BEAR, and ROE RAGE http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/inspections.php Let me know if there are any problems. The status list shows that LINDA, MOPELIA, ANOTHER HAZARD, TENACIOUS, SAVASANA, VMAX, ROCK & ROLL, and VINDICATOR have finished all their declarations. Kudos. Here is the status list: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/status.php Carl Gitchell (TENACIOUS) asked that I pass along this advice: Can you please put out a warning for those towing their own boats to Key West. There is considerable construction on Rt 1 in the Keys and permits are mandatory. In addition, wide loads must travel with an certified escort and only from 9PM to 5AM. When they get their permits from FDOT, it will have all the restrictions. Last week, a J109 from Annapolis was stopped in the Keys and had to turn around because they didn't have an escort or permits. I called the Monroe County Sheriff and they will provide an escort vehicle for $30/hour with a 3 hour minimum. They are very easy to work with if you are polite to them. Scott and I are taking Bat IV down tonight so I won't have access to e-mail from a few days. I'll have my cell with me if you need to get in touch. I have had lots of requests to put out blasts for sailors seeking crew positions. If you have any trouble filling a crew slot, ask me first. Happy New Year, Nelson |
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| 04.Jan.2007 | Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 10:04:19 -0500 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #10 Key Westers and Wannabees, ORANGUTAN met with an immovable object and had to withdraw, and ZUNI BEAR also sent their regrets, so we stand at 33 entries. In response to the warning about trailering through the Keys, Steve Olinger noted that several boats are planning a water trip up to St. Pete for the NOOD after KW. He offered help with logistics, including help with dockage in St. Pete for the time between KW and the NOOD. If you are interested contact Steve at SOlinger@KIKCORP.com. (The NOOD is February 16-18.) I'll be heading away from my home base on next Thursday, so please get all your declarations in by next Wednesday. I have new sail certificates for GUMPTION, FORERUNNER, & USA116 that should appear on the tag list by tomorrow. Here's the link for the status of all boats: http://www.j105.org/KWRW2007/status.php BAT IV still has not signed up for inspection and only 14 of 33 have completed all the paperwork. If you are having trouble with any of the declarations, please contact me. Just to confirm, we will be having the inspections at Historic Seaport (I'll fly a J/105 flag where you are to raft up at the end, if you are not already parked there). And the parties are Saturday night at Schooner Wharf Bar from 7 to 10 p.m. (in the private back room) and at the JBoats tent on Thursday night (should be video of J/105 action). I'll be updating my Blog daily at the event and updating the Fun Award standings after each day of racing. Tell the home crew to follow the action starting at http://j105.org. For those leaving earlier than next Wednesday, I'll give my weather report now. In the past I've been accused of being too sanguine about the Key West weather so in recent years I've been advising to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Key West normally has highs in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-60s at this time of year, but we've seen a few years that it has been much cooler. The record low for January is 41 degrees. Yes, the worst day in Key West in January can be worse than the best frostbiting day in the New England. But in most cases a light sweater in the evenings will suffice. Many of the restaurants are open-air affairs, some with outdoor heaters. The wind is highly variable, from almost nothing to gear busting (like a couple days last year). The nominal averages are quite nice for racing. So bring your woolies and gloves and hope you never have to use them and check everything on your boat, so it is also well-prepared for the worst. If you're a newbie, ask a veteran for help on tensioning your rig. You will find that other owners are happy to help. Beware of the sea wall at Truman Annex when there are unkind wind directions! Cheers, Nelson |
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| 11.Jan.2007 | Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:30:38 -0500 To: KWRW2007:; From: Nelson Weiderman Subject: Key West Race Week 2007 -- Update #11 (and last) Key Westers and Wannabees, I just printed off all the declarations received. Thank you all (well almost all) for your cooperation to make this a little easier (on me) and to ensure fair competition. For those few who did not send in their declarations, could you please reply to tell me whether you had some kind of difficulty and how you will be getting me the information. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning. You might be interested in some of the statistics. There will be about 20 boats rafted at the Historic Seaport and the remainder are split almost equally among the Conch Republic, the Galleon, and Truman Annex. There will be about half a dozen sailing with Group 2's, but most of those seem to be artifacts of being currently or recently in the sailing industry rather than because of any "rock star" status. Ullman will have the most sails, followed by North, with a smattering of UK, Doyle, and Quantum. We have 22 fun award participants so far. I'm not going to pick a "top ten" this year. It is clear that MASQUERADE will be the team to beat, having won the event last year, then going on to win the Annapolis NOOD, the Rolex Newport, and the North American Championship. But Tom Coates may be vulnerable after the NAC win, especially if he does not bring the same crew. My prediction is that if Tom wins it again, it will be much closer than last year (an 18 point win). Now for my sermon. You (especially the newbies) need to set your expectation conservatively. There are many boats attending that are at the top of the heap in their local fleets. But here we have a regatta with the best from all over the country. Being top dog at home may translate into being middle fleet (or worse) at Key West. It's great to go in with goals, but don't be too optimistic or too disappointed if they are not realized. You're sailing against some of the best sailors from around the country. Set some achievable sub-goals such as getting better as the week goes on, eliminating mistakes of one sort or another, beating one of the competitors that seems to be evenly matched you, having fun and leaving on friendly terms. And then there are those fun awards (count 'em, seven) for those who don't win silver in the big tent. Part two of the sermon is on safety. Nothing will ruin your week more than having to sit out because of a crew injury or damage to your boat. Don't take chances out on the course! It is not worth it. Leave adequate margins for error especially going around the marks (it will be very crowded!). The second (related) contingency that can ruin your week is spending time on protests. Everybody goes into the "room" thinking that there is no way they will lose the protest, but eventually somebody comes out with the DSQ that's not discardable. It's a 50-50 proposition in most cases, even with the best of preparation. The worst part is the waiting around and possible hard feelings afterwards. So when in doubt, do your turns out on the course and happily adjourn to the bar after the racing is over to discuss it over a cold one. If you do find yourself in the "room" try to leave on good terms with your opponent and don't forget to thank the jury for their service. Be safe and have fun! See you at the party. Cheers, Nelson |
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