All Roads And Sea Lanes Lead To Key West

KEY WEST, Fla.---The entry list for Terra Nova Trading Key West 2004, presented by Nautica, has now topped 80 with racing in America's premiere regatta 2 1/2 months away (Jan. 19-23). That's on the pace that has seen an average of 312 boats the last three years and could top the record of 326 in 2001.

Where do they all come from? From across North America and a couple of oceans---entrants already represent 20 states and 15 countries. How do they get to this charming outpost at the southernmost point of the continental United States? Any way they can.

The boat that won the Terra Nova Trading Trophy as Boat of the Week last January---Richard Bergmann's J/105, Zuni Bear---will again be towed coast to coast from California. It will be making its annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of winter sailing hooked to the back of a three-quarter-ton truck, and distance is no deterrent. California has the most entries at the moment with nine, and Bergmann plans to sail a Southeastern tour of events after Key West.

"The reason we travel is we have so much fun going to the different venues and racing against different people," he said. "When you stay in your own pond you don't get that exposure. Key West is a blast, but it's also the group we get to sail against."

There are many commercial boat movers available for delivery to Key West, including Peters & May that ships boats from Europe and elsewhere. Joule Yacht Transport and FT Yacht Services are active in the U.S. Many sailors take advantage of these professional services, but Bergmann prefers to manage his own long hauls. He'll drive I-10 across the South all the way to Florida. He has modified his Triad trailer to cushion road shock, added numerous extras to protect the boat and carries three spare tires.

Defending champions, Key West veterans and first-timers from all points are lining up their travel plans.

Examples abound: The Melges fleet includes Joe Woods from Torquay, UK, making his fifth trip, and 14-year-old Samuel (Shark) Kahn, from Soquel, Calif. and Hawaii, returning to where he first drove a Melges 24 a year earlier---and now wearing the 2003 Melges Worlds crown.

PHRF racer Pete Hunter of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., is a 10-year veteran, while Frank Kern is bringing his J/120 from Detroit, Mich. for the first time.

The Farr 40s feature returning champions Alex Geremia and Scott Harris, Santa Barbara, Calif., defending against Key West newcomers Erik Maris from Porquerolles, France, and Arien van Verndl from Willenstad, The Netherlands.

To recognize the significance of all long distance efforts, the Key West Trophy will be awarded this year to the boat owner who has traveled farthest from his or her hometown. Besides the fast-growing J/105 group, invited classes include Corsair 24 and 28R, Farr 40, IMS, J/29, J/80, Melges 24, MORC, Mumm 30, PHRF, Swan 45, Open Swan and T-10.

The unofficial "PHRF National Championship" will again feature a fleet of more than 100 boats with entrants from as many as 30 states.

The competition will expand when the Swan 45 class makes its Key West debut. The renowned yacht manufacturer, based in Pietersaari, Finland, has produced a high-performance boat with a standard carbon fiber rig. Six are already entered with 10 expected.

Title Sponsor, Terra Nova Trading, L.L.C. (member NASD, SIPC & PCX), is recognized as an innovative leader in Electronic Direct Access Trading. The Chicago-based firm enables customers to electronically route orders to major markets and ECNs. Terra Nova Trading's technology partner, Townsend Analytics, Ltd., is the developer of the premier real-time trading platform, RealTick(r), which is also a Key West sponsor.

Nautica has upgraded its role to the Presenting Sponsor level. The International Team Competition will culminate in the presentation of the Nautica Trophy to the top three-boat team.

Mount Gay Rum, Lewmar, Samson Rope Technologies, Pearson Yachts, Raymarine and the Florida Keys and Key West Tourist Development Council round out the official line-up. The Historic Seaport is the Official Site for the event. The Performance Sailing Industry Partner Program, now in its third year, features 25 companies that have made a multi-year commitment to the event.

There is still plenty of time. The first entry deadline is Dec. 10. All entry documents, planning information and past results are available on the event web site: www.Premiere-Racing.com.

CONTACTS

PREMIERE RACING, Inc. 67B Front Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945
Tel: (781) 639-9545, Fax: (781) 639-9171
Event Email: KWInfo@Premiere-Racing.com
Event Web Site: www.Premiere-Racing.com
Terra Nova Online: www.TerraNovaOnline.com

PRESS OFFICER
Rich Roberts
(310) 835-2526
rich@earthlink.net