Acura Miami Race Week Begins March 9

by Jeanne Kleene on 6 Feb 2006 Sailors from across the country and around the world have begun their preparations for Acura Miami Race Week 2006. Re-matches and second chances will be the order of the day when the 2005 and recent Acura Key West 2006 class champions defend their titles next month.

The TP52 class will hold its first ever global championship at Premiere Racing’s Miami event. The 2006 Rolex TP52 Global Championship will feature an expanded racing format over six days and includes both a distance and coastal race.

Stuart Robinson’s Stay Calm II (London, UK) coming off a hard fought win in Key West looks to be the boat to beat. Tactician Adrian Stead and eight other members of GBR Challenge crew for Robinson, who took delivery of his TP52 in early January.

The competition in these high tech, thoroughbreds will be fierce. The challenging Gulf Stream will factor in during the distance races ensuring that the 2006 global champion is a deserving boat and crew.

Swan 45s, Farr 40s, J/105s, Mumm 30s, and Melges 32s are the other one design classes invited to compete on the Ocean Courses in the waters off Miami Beach. Handicap racing will return next month under both the IRC and PHRF rules.

The Farr 40 class will be back at full strength with more than 20 of the owner/driver boats projected. Steve and Fred Howe’s Warpath, a mere three points out of first in the 25-boat Key West fleet, is seeking a class win with John Kostecki back as tactician.

'Having the Swan 45 World Championship in Key West now the Rolex TP52 Global Championship in Miami has added a lot of buzz,' said Event Director Peter Craig. 'We’re looking at two consecutive regattas with some of the very best sailing talent out there. It should be another great week of racing.'

Key West set the stage for the Acura Grand Prix Trophies, to be awarded at the conclusion of Acura Miami Race Week. These prestigious awards debuted in 2005 and recognize the boats with the best combined score from both Key West and Miami Race Weeks. The TP52, Swan 45, Farr 40, J/105, Mumm 30 and Melges 24 classes are currently eligible.

The defending J/105 Miami champion Masquerade, is a clear pre-regatta favorite coming off a command performance in a 29-boat Key West class. Thomas Coates skippered the San Francisco entry to a resounding 18-point victory in the Midwinter Championship and will be looking to repeat as combined champion.

Handicap racing is certain to be intense with the Ker 55 Aera and Swan 601 Moneypenny continuing their remarkable week-long Key West duel. The two boats traded the lead time and again with Aera ultimately prevailing. James Madden’s R/P swing keel Stark Raving Mad will debut in Miami, adding intrigue to the big boat class.

Biscayne Bay racing will be hosted at the modern Shake-A-Leg facility in Coconut Grove. The Melges 24s, Etchells and J/24s will race at this venue. As many as 25 Etchells will compete in the three day competition in the final event on their winter circuit.

Melges 24 Acura Miami Race Week 2005 Champion and Boat of the Week winner, Riccardo Simoneschi (Nautica - Genoa, Italy) will defend against a strong international and national fleet.

Iker Belausteguigoitia (LaCalaca – Mexico and Florida) will defend his hard fought J/24 title against second and third place Peter Benziger (Gotta Go – Miami) and Jonathan Luscomb (Pick Up Styx, West Plan Beach).

The first entry deadline is February 10. Entries can be completed online or with the entry application available on the race week web site.

Title Sponsor Acura is the Official Vehicle. Supporting Sponsor Mount Gay® Rum is the Official Rum. Rolex is the Official Sponsor and Official Timekeeper for the 2006 TP52 Global Championship.

Twenty-eight Industry Partners bring their support through a program that is now in its 5th year.

Event details, entries and past results are available at www.Premiere-Racing.com