See our PRESS RELEASE for more information.

Marlow Ropes Official Rope Sponsor - Key West Race Week

Key West, Florida Keys -- Quantum Key West 2014 is gearing up for its trademark full week of racing on the aqua-coloured waters off the coast of the Conch Republic. From the professional-laden 52 Class to top tier club-oriented programs in the PHRF classes, this midwinter classic offers something for everyone.

Spectators on the water will be thrilled by the sheer size and speed of the racing machines in the Mini Maxi class (IRC 1). Shockwave, skippered by George Sakellaris (Framingham, Mass.) will look to defend its title against fellow 72-footer Bella Mente* (Hap Fauth, Minneapolis, Minn.) and the 69-foot Caol Ila R (Alex Schaerer, Newport, R.I.).

Action figures to be intense in the 52 Class (IRC 2), which features an international fleet of six boats loaded with the world's top professionals. Key West is the kick-off event for the 52 Super Series, which was won last year by Quantum Racing*. Doug DeVos will skipper the Quantum entry in Key West with America's Cup veteran Terry Hutchinson aboard as tactician.

"We had a very successful 2013 season and are looking forward to getting off to a good start in 2014," said Hutchinson, noting that Ed Baird (strategist) and Juan Vila (navigator) complete a talented afterguard. "We love having Doug driving the boat. He's the leader of the whole program and brings great energy to the team."

Azzurra*, owned by Pablo Roemmers of Buenos Aires, Argentina, took first in Key West last year and will have Vasco Vascotto calling tactics again as it seeks a repeat. Ran*, which captured the 52 world championship, will look to improve upon its third place finish from a year ago with British pro Adrian Stead calling tactics for owner-driver Niklas Zennstrom.

"It's an impressive fleet and it's going to be quite a battle. Azzurra* and Ran* are both formidable programs and you can't count out boats like Interlodge, which is a real rocket ship," Hutchinson said.

Defending champion Decision*, a Carkeek 40 skippered by Stephen Murray (New Orleans) headlines the High Performance Class and will no doubt duke it out daily with sister ship Spookie* (Steve & Heidi Benjamin, Norwalk, Conn.).

Newport-based professional Tim Healy will be back to defend his title in J/70 class*, which has attracted a whopping 62 boats. Runner-up Brian Keane (Weston, Mass.) and third place finisher Bruno Pasquinelli (Dallas, Texas) will also be back as the J/70 class* contests its Midwinter Championship.

A real bounce-back one design at Key West this year is the J/80 class*, which will have 13 boats on the starting line. Skipper Ron Buzil and his Vayu2 team will try to repeat as regatta winners against a deep fleet that includes former North American champion Rumor (John Storck) and several other accomplished programs.

Marlow Ropes products will be available throughout Key West via our retailers Rig Pro (at the Western Marina) and Florida Rigging and Hydraulics (at the Galleon) and traditionally we will have a booth at Key West Race Village as usual so do come along and pay us a visit.

For those who can't be out on the race course, there will be plenty of ways to follow the racing action and the shoreside fun. Last year was a first for "Key West Live" coverage (#QKeyWest) and there will be more real time updates via our social media and website to keep everyone connected this year.

*All aforementioned boats are rigged with Marlow rope for the Regatta, Marlow also supply all new build kits to the J/70 and J/80 fleets.