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Home / Photos / Rehearsal is Over, Let the Racing Begin

Rehearsal is Over, Let the Racing Begin

January 20, 2014 By Bella Mente Leave a Comment

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Quantum Key West Race Week begins tomorrow, and after months of off-the-water preparation the Bella Mente Racing Team is ready to get down to business on the racing end. The team of 22 sailors, led by owner/driver Hap Fauth, has spent the last four days practicing for the week-long regatta, and after Bella Mente’s 2014 optimizations and paint job the 72-foot custom mini maxi is performing famously (kudos to Peter, Ryan, Kyle for getting the boat to the starting line in stellar condition).

Temperatures have been chillier than what is normally expected in Key West, Fla. this time of year, and the cold front is forecasted to remain throughout the week. The moderate conditions that the team experienced over the weekend are expected to wane tomorrow and Tuesday, but pick up again for the latter end of the series.

“We are all looking forward to getting back on the race course against some friendly and familiar competition,” said Bella Mente Racing’s Project Manager Rob Ouellette, adding that Shockwave, Caol Ila R, and many other fantastic teams will be on the starting line tomorrow.

The harbor start is at 10 a.m. and two races are scheduled daily, as the Race Committee is aiming to get ten races in overall.

Tune in here for nightly for team recaps during Quantum Key West Race Week, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

To keep up with more action during the event, visit http://www.premiere-racing.com/

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Filed Under: Photos, Quantum Key West Race Week 2014, Updates Onboard

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Happy PieDay to Bella Mente’s boatbuilder, Kyle Happy PieDay to Bella Mente’s boatbuilder, Kyle Fitzgerald — the craftsman behind the speed!
#bellamenteracing #Boatbuilder
Happy Pie Day to Sebas Ingaramo, Bella Mente’s r Happy Pie Day to Sebas Ingaramo, Bella Mente’s rigger—took a birthday pie to the face like a pro!
#PieDay #BellaMenteRacing #BirthdayTraditons
Happy Birthday to Pirate Peter Henderson — cluck Happy Birthday to Pirate Peter Henderson — clucking his way from tree runs in Beaver Creek to the sails of St. Barths… all while rocking a chicken suit. Never change, you crazy bird.
Happy Birthday to Jared “Beach” Henderson – Happy Birthday to Jared “Beach” Henderson –  one who wore that Statue of David apron in Sorrento like a true Italian icon.
From the deck of Bella Mente to the rooftop parties of Sorrento, you keep us laughing, sailing, and slightly concerned. Wishing you another year of smooth sailing and questionable fashion choices.
#BellaMenteRacing #BirthdayBeach #StatueOfDavidVibes
Cheers to another year around the sun for Doogie C Cheers to another year around the sun for Doogie Couvreux! 
#HappyBirthday #BellaMenteRacing #BowBoss
What a ride! Bella Mente was first to finish in th What a ride! Bella Mente was first to finish in the Nassau Cup Ocean Race, smashing the 2013 record! 177.7 nautical miles in 9:20:49, averaging 19+ knots across the Gulf Stream. 🌊💨

From Mike Sanderson, afterguard: “To say we were a little nervous about the forecast was an understatement! But it turned into a dream run—fast, wet, and high-speed reaching. When you’re sailing to the Bahamas in warm waters, it’s pretty special!!”

From tactician Terry Hutchinson: “Huge shoutout to the Bella Mente shore team—MVPs of this race. Reliability was key, and the boat was immaculately prepared. The sailors pushed hard and were rewarded with a record and a podium spot!”

Next stop: Europe to defend our European Championship in Sorrento, Italy! 🇮🇹🏆

#BellaMenteRacing #NassauCup #FastSailing #OffshoreRacing #YachtRacing #GulfStream 

https://bellamenteracing.com/bellamente/bella-mente-first-to-finish-breaks-nassau-cup-record/
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About Bella Mente

The original Bella Mente Racing campaign kicked off in 2006 with Key West Race Week, and since then owner and skipper Hap Fauth has had three additional racing yachts in the program.

Launched in September of 2018, the current Bella Mente is a Maxi 72 designed by Botin Partners in Spain and built by New England Boatworks in Rhode Island.

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