Ready to Race at Quantum Key West 2014

 By KONK Life News

Key West, FL (January 19, 2014) – Some of the world’s finest professional sailors will be crewing for captains of industry in the 52 (IRC 2) class, which is one of the headliners at Quantum Key West 2014 on January 19-24.

 

Ran, the current 52 class world champion, is skippered by Skype founder Niklas Zennstrom of Great Britain. Quantum Racing, winner of the 52 Super Series last year, is skippered by Amway president Doug DeVos.

 

DeVos is also the primary investor in Quantum Sail Design Group, title sponsor of the regatta for the third consecutive year. As owner-driver of the Quantum entry, DeVos is blessed to have three renowned professionals providing assistance with Terry Hutchinson as tactician, Ed Baird as strategist and Juan Vila as navigator.

 

Those three are among a horde of pros with America’s Cup or Volvo Ocean Race experience competing in IRC 2, which is comprised of six 52-foot racing machines that are highly technical.

 

“This is some of the best racing in the world. You have the top sailors, the best designers and builders, and with that you get the greatest competition,” DeVos said. “It’s an incredible class that gives the pro sailors a chance to develop and takes the whole sport forward.”

 

Newport-based professional Tim Healy will be back to defend his title in J/70 class, which has attracted a whopping 60 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.

 

“We’re excited to be back in Key West and hoping we do as well as last year. There are a lot of really good teams here and it’s really hard to say which ones are the top contenders,” said Healy, who has John Mollicone and Geoff Becker aboard as co-tacticians and trimmers. “As usual, consistency is the key and you have to keep fighting all the way around the course. There are gains to be made on every leg and every point will count at the end.”

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