Key West Race Week

Key West Race Week & Key Lime Pie

Photos & Article by ALINA K. DIX

It’s almost midnight. Arriving at my motel room I’m both nervous and excited. The week ahead will be a whirlwind adventure and over before I know it. But right now, I’m meeting my roommate for the first time. Will we get along? I’m already grateful that she stayed awake to let me in as the office is closed until morning. Sara Proctor opens the door, “Hi, Alina. Our toilet doesn’t work.” I begin to giggle, “Well, we could just use a bucket.” She laughs and we agree to deal with this issue tomorrow. Right now, it’s bedtime.

The alarm beeps. By 8 a.m. on Sunday, Prep Day is underway with a morning meeting for all Race Committee. I’ll be serving, along with fellow CYC members Leif and Laura Sigmond, as Short Weather Markset for Division 1 (Big Boat Circle). Following the meetings, Leif, Laura and I follow Jay Kehoe to the Truman Annex launch ramp. We find seaweed piled three feet high and boats tied across the launching area. Okay, now what? Leif proposes launching instead at the public ramp across the island. Of course, there’s a catch: a marathon blocks our route. So, we might have driven through said “marathon.” I’m sure nobody noticed.

With Mac in the water and docked, time to figure out how this new equipment works. Attempting to inflate massive round mark was a bit of a failure until Leif bought a new inflator. Attach all anchors to lines and add counterweights, check. Testing 1, 2, 3 on the private channel radio... silence... testing, testing... silence. Get replacement radio, check. We

were all set for the following day. It’s time for the Opening Night Party! I’ll admit, I didn’t stay long and went to bed early in my new room. Oh, I forgot to mention while I was doing boat work, my roommate got us switched to a room with a working toilet!

Day One, here we go! After I grab lunches for the boat, I head to the marina to help ready Mac for the day ahead. Gas, check. Ice, check. Add air to big orange mark, check. I can barely contain my excitement as we head to our course area. While setting our marks, the Maxi 72s are practicing an upwind leg and as they pass we can hear the creaking and tension of the hydraulic systems aboard. These boats are cutting edge and marvelous in action. Bella Mente executes a precision gybe-set near the long mark. With steady winds all day, Division 1 executed three races. Before the Day One Party/Awards, Leif, Laura and I grabbed some delicious key lime pie at Pepe’s Café across from the marina. After the party, I turned in early to be ready for the next day.

It’s Day Two. After the brave crew of Mac ventured out testing conditions, racing was postponed with winds steady at 26 knots and waves growing above six feet. After lunch and key lime pie with roommate, Sara, at Hogfish Bar & Grill on Stock Island, I shopped and explored. Naptime, then party time followed by dinner at the food truck next to Race Headquarters. All were simply amazing! Sara and I swung by Sloppy Joes for music and camaraderie before exhaustion took hold.

Racing Days Three and Four are a bit of blur. Setting and resetting marks. Pulling anchors. Checking wind. Snapping pictures of all the boats. Inspecting the shipwreck in the course... Yes, you read that correctly, we tested how far down it was to the wreck. The Maxi 72s draw about 18 feet and it would be a catastrophe if one hooked the wreck. Parties and dinners each night (and key lime pie, of course) became routine by the end of the week. Each night, there were new people to meet and new foods to try. And if you haven’t guessed yet... one of my goals was to try the key lime pie at every restaurant!

Our most challenging day was the last day. Navigation and course setting were arduous with huge waves, high winds, rain and a strong current. No sooner was the Division 1 course set, the signal boat calls abandoning the race. To say that Leif masterfully drove through these tumultuous conditions is an understatement. “Hold on!” he’d say, as we surfed waves no smaller than eight feet at times. I’m not letting go! My grip tightened around the handle. After what felt like hours, we were in harbor unloading borrowed equipment and taking out the boat. That was it; we were done.

In one week, I learned so much more than I could put into words here. I am beyond thankful for such an experience and the opportunity to forge new bonds with fellow sailors and fortify existing ones with other CYC members.

Thank you to Jay and Amy Kehoe for getting me involved and to my amazing markset team of Leif and Laura Sigmond!