Key West Sailing Regatta Begins Monday
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KEY WEST (CBSMiami/AP) — One of the favorite Key West events in January is the annual sailing regatta.
Two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Terry Hutchinson will call tactics for Bella Mente during the five-day Quantum Key West sailing regatta that begins Monday off the Florida Keys.
Owned by Hap Fauth, the 72-foot-long Bella Mente will defend its 2014 IRC 1 victory against Shockwave, steered by George Sakellaris with tactician Paul Cyard, as well as Numbers, skippered by Gunther Buerman with strategist Brad Butterworth.
Race organizers say 115 boats are divided into 10 classes. The J/70 is the largest with 54.
A new class this year is the Great Cup 32s. Officials say with America's Cup now being contested in catamarans, the popularity of multi-hull racing has soared. The GC32s can go as fast as 50 knots and crewmembers wear helmets.
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