Quantum Racing Wins In Key West.

Wrapping Up a Fabulous Week at Quantum Key West 2012

It was a frantic finish at Quantum Key West 2012 as several boats snatched victory with strong performances on the fifth and final day.

Some classes were already decided going into the final day, but that did not stop the leaders from going out on the water and putting an exclamation point in their victories. Ran, a Judel-Vrolijk 72-footer owned by Niklas Zennstrom of the United Kingdom, ran away from the competition in the Mini Maxi (IRC 1) class. Seasoned British pro Adrian Stead served as tactician aboard Ran, which won all 10 races and also captured the IRC Midwinter Championship.

“This is by far the best we’ve ever sailed the boat. This is our fourth year racing the boat so we know it really well and have it set up perfectly,” said Zennstrom, who called Key West a “fantastic regatta” and praised the race committee work. “Our crew work was flawless all week. We did not have one bad gybe, one bad set or one bad mark rounding.”

The 52-foot class was expected to be a bare knuckle brawl with all eight entries filled with fully professional crews. There were two brand new designs in the fleet with Highland Fling XII (Reichel-Pugh) and Interlodge (Botin Partners) both tricked out for the IRC rule.

However, it was a TP52 that stole the show as Quantum Racing finished first or second in all 10 races and defeated runner-up Powerplay (Peter Cunningham, Cayman Islands) by a whopping 18 ½ points.

It was somewhat fitting that Doug DeVos, primary shareholder for regatta sponsor Quantum, skippered the victorious 52-footer. Terry Hutchinson, skipper for America’s Cup challenger Artemis Racing of Sweden, did a brilliant job of calling tactics for DeVos, who mathematically clinched victory with three bullets on Thursday, but still sailed Friday and tacked on two seconds and earned the Quantum Boat of the Day honor in the process.

“What a great regatta we had this week. We had those classic conditions you always find in Key West and it just made for some great sailing,” DeVos said. “The competition in the 52-foot class was very good, but what makes this event so fun is the town and the night life and catching up with so many friends from the sport of sailing.”