Sailing World Magazine - Spring 2022

In this issue

FOR THE LOVE OF CLUB
If you believe that it is good to sail, that it is good to sail with friends, that it is good to sail with mom and pop and sis and bro, especially if they’re really, really fast, and that it is even better to sail against opponents who are almost family themselves, listen up. There is a home for you down South. And if you believe the third time’s the charm when things get crazy, I have evidence.
by Kimball Livingston, photos by Julie Connerley

RETURN TO THE REPUBLIC
The allure of the Conch Republic—and a craving for fresh and reliable tropical winds—is what makes Key West irresistible to racing sailors. For decades, the quirky island was the place to be in January. A bigger and bigger Race Week grew until the lights were shut off on the way out in 2017. It became too expensive to run, and the numbers didn’t add up to make a buck. For pro and amateur sailors alike, that meant no more roosters. No more Duval crawls. And worst of all, no more long and sporty days planing across milky-blue seas. And like a Galleon mudslide, they didn’t realize how much they missed it, until they missed it. Someone—anyone—had to bring sailboat racing back to Key West. And back it is.
by Dave Reed, photos by Walter Cooper