Quantum Key West 2014, Hedgehog grabs the leadership

Key West – With two races complete, Alec Cutler’s Hedgehog stands tall in the overall lead at 2014 Quantum Key West Race Week. Only three points behind in second, is Dalton DeVos on Delta, and Deneen Demourkas’ Groovederci sits third.

After a prolonged on-land postponement, the first race of the day got underway just past one o’clock under gorgeous sunny, blue skies and mild temperatures. Calm seas greeted the fleet for the first two heats of the event. With the breeze barely above class minimum, Cutler’s Hedgehog returned to the Melges 32 class in amazing form. Although the breeze was light and tricky, tactician Richard Clarke and the hedgehog crew found their way across the finish line first.

Race Two, the last and final heat of the day, saw more intense racing as Demourkas was first to the top mark, chased by Richard Goransson’s Inga From Sweden, then DeVos’ Delta. DeVos gained big downwind to take the gate in first just ahead of Goransson, followed by Demourkas in third. Another lead change at the top mark gave way to Goransson taking full command, and hot on his heels were DeVos and Demourkas. Cutler moved up a space to round fourth, but saved his best move for the final downwind run. With less than 100 yards to go, Cutler came in strong from the left side to beat out DeVos, who successfully gained again on the run. Goransson on the far right, slid in to steal second place only moments before DeVos. Demourkas was fourth and new boat owner Dieter Schoen on Momo from Germany finished fifth.

Racing continues on Tuesday, where rain is predicted, winds still light and variable.

Full results
1. Alec Cutler/Richard Clarke, Hedgehog, 1-1, pt. 2
2. Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta, 2-3, pt. 5
3. Deneen Demourkas/Cameron Appleton, Groovederci, 3-4, pt. 7
4. Richard Goransson/Morgan Larson, Helly Hanson Inga From Sweden, 6-2, pt. 8
5. Dieter Schoen/Markus Wiesser, Momo, 4-5, pt. 9
…

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