“Red” Clinches First at Key West Race Week

“Red” (left) and “Diesel” racing downwind, head-to-head. Photo: Harmen Rockler/Farr Yacht Design KEY WEST, Fla. — The fleet of four Farr 280s enjoyed sailing in the strongest breeze yet on the fourth day at Quantum Key West Race Week. Three races were sailed, with winds building throughout the day into 14-to-17 knots. Joe Woods’ “Red” won all three races. The team has clinched first place in the event among the Farr 280s. Bob Moran’s “Ragin’” retired early into the first upwind beat of the first race. They had hit another boat on the course and lost their bowsprit. The team assessed the damage and determined it was unable to continue racing. The team has been working throughout the afternoon to repair the bowsprit and expects to race tomorrow. In the first and second races, “Red” had a lead at the windward mark after the first leg, and then extended it throughout the rest of the legs. In the last race, the waves had become choppier and the wind stronger. Tate Rusack’s “Diesel” lead the fleet around the marks. The fleet was compact until the first leeward gate, when “Decision’s” spinnaker was doused into the water, causing the team to stop to collect the spinnaker back into the boat. “Diesel” and “Red” battled upwind.  “Red” took over in the last minute of the race and beat “Diesel” by seconds. Geoff Ewenson, main trimmer on “Decision” said, “Today was a ton of fun. From a one design standpoint, I think the racing got even tighter in the bigger breeze.” Strong breeze is expected again tomorrow for the last day of the event. Updates throughout the day are on Twitter (@Farr280). Results (after 5 races): 1. “Red,” Joe Woods: 1-1-2-1-1-1-1-1 (9) 2. “Decision,” Stephen Murray: 2-3-1-4-2-2-2-3 (19) 3. “Diesel” Tate Rusack: 4-2-3-3-3-3-3-2 (23) 4. “Ragin’,” Bob Moran: 3-4-4-2-4-DNS-DNS-DNS (32) See the full results here.