Day One of Quantum Key West Race Week was light with a six to nine knot Northwest breeze. With only Bella Mente and Shockwave on the starting line, the racing was essentially Match Racing.
Race One was a four leg windward leeward course. On the first half of the second run we wrapped a crab pot on the keel, costing us the race. We had to drop the kite, luff the boat to a stop and put bowman Mickey in the water to clear the keel. Shockwave passed us to win.
Race Two was a five leg windward leeward course. Bella Mente had an even start with Shockwave to leeward and tacked away shortly after the start. Shockwave had a slight lead at the first cross and we traded several tacks up to the first beat with Bella Mente to the right of Shockwave. Eventually, we made it around Shockwave prior to the first run. Racing was very tight for the remaining four legs, with Bella Mente crossing the finish line to win by a few seconds (corrected time).
Day Two of Quantum Key West Race Week was sailed in 13-17 knots from the Northeast, with close racing between Bella Mente and Shockwave.
Race Three was a four leg windward leeward course. Bella Mente started to the left of Shockwave. Halfway up the beat, Shockwave held a slight lead at the first cross and held that lead around the first mark and down the first run. The boats split gates at the bottom of the run. Bella Mente passed Shockwave on the second beat and held the lead around the second top mark. The final run was close, with Bella Mente crossing the finish line approximately 30 seconds ahead, but Shockwave took first place by six seconds corrected time.
Race Four was a five leg windward leeward course. Bella Mente started to the left of Shockwave and was late to the line, which defined the first half of the race. Bella Mente trailed Shockwave for the first four legs, slowly closing in on the boat, and at the bottom of the fourth leg, the boats again split gates with Bella Mente taking the right hand side of the beat. In the middle of the final beat of the race, the two boats got into an intense tacking duel, causing issues for the other classes that were racing on the same course. Bella Mente took the lead and held a ten second lead across the finish line but Shockwave won the race with corrected time.
