Strong finish by Rosebud prevents TP52 clean sweep
Ran, a TP52 owned by Niklas Zennstrom of Great Britain, put forth a commanding performance in IRC 1 – winning six races and leading from start to finish. French Olympic medalist Thierry Peponnet called tactics for helmsman Tim Powell.
“We just have a really good team that has been together a year and knows the boat very well, knows how to make her go fast,” Powell said. “It was a fantastic week of sailing. You really couldn’t ask for any better conditions. Niklas really enjoyed himself and is looking forward to coming back next year.”
STP65 Rosebud finished the event with two firsts, so withstood the pressure of Anema and Rio well and kept her 2nd place.
Rio had strong finish with two second places and passed Anema for a podium position.
“We just have a really good team that has been together a year and knows the boat very well, knows how to make her go fast,” Powell said. “It was a fantastic week of sailing. You really couldn’t ask for any better conditions. Niklas really enjoyed himself and is looking forward to coming back next year.”
1 Ran Niklas Zennstrom TP52 1/1/2/1/3/1/1/1/3/4 Total 18
2 Rosebud Roger Sturgeon STP 65 3/2/1/2/1/5/4/5/1/1 Total 25
3 Rio Charles Dunstone TP52 2/4/3/3/4/3/3/2/2/2 Total 28
4 Anema Ennio Staffini TP52 4/3/4/4/2/2/2/3/4/3 Total 31
5 Synergy Sergey Pichugin TP52 5/5/5/65/4/5/6/5/6 Total 52
Premiere Racing president Peter Craig said that plans for Acura Key West 2010 are already underway. It will be held no matter what transpires with the economy and entries.
“This week was typical of the reliable wind conditions we get here. Ten races over five days is one of the main reasons why sailors come to Key West. They know they are going to go racing every day,” Craig said. “To end on a picture-perfect day with solid breeze, not a cloud in the sky and the weather warming up was very fitting.”
Craig said Premiere Racing has already heard from several Key West regulars who did not make this year’s event due to the economic downturn. “They all universally assure they will be back next year. It had to be painful for them to following the regatta on the internet and see the fleet racing in such superb conditions.”
NEXT STOP: MIAMI, March 5-8, 2009
