Wrapping Up a Fabulous Week at Quantum Key West 2012

Key West Race Week: A “Bucket List" Event
An Interview with Deneen Demourkas

(December 2011) Farr 30 class president Deneen Demourkas is a seasoned Key West veteran. We caught up with Deneen shortly after her victory on Groovederci at the 2011 Farr 30 World Championship to learn more about her involvement with Key West.

  Q: Tell us about the participation of the Farr 30 Class at Key West Race Week.   The Farr 30 Class has a long history at Key West Race Week. Over the years we have witnessed the numbers rise, then fall, only to rise again. Brad Kauffman, our Chesapeake fleet captain, has led the charge the last couple of years. He has been in constant contact the entire fleet, encouraging teams to get in gear and get to Key West. It's that kind of enthusiasm we find in the fleet today, and it’s quite refreshing.  After an absence in 2009, we regrouped and the fleet committed to Key West indefinitely. In 2010 we had 9 teams, one of which made the trip from Sweden. The racing was fantastic, the camaraderie even better.  We definitely have a good time together both on and off the water. We had a fantastic Farr 30 party with everyone in attendance, including PRO Ken Legler. There was another great dinner hosted by John & Linda Edwards (Rhumb Punch) and, of course, the nightly prize giveaways. It's all about good friends, good competition, and good times.

  Q: Number of Key West Weeks in which you've participated?   My husband and I have attended every year since 2001 for a grand total of 10 years running!  

Demourkas' Groovederci USA 706  

GROWING FLEET IN SWEDEN TO HOST FIRST-EVER SCANDINAVIAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT JULY

Båstad, SWEDEN (6 October 2011) – The Farr 30 Class confirmed today that 2012 will see the first-ever Scandinavian-hosted World Championship for the popular 30-foot racing yacht.  “We’re proud of our fleet’s growth here in Sweden, and we’re extremely excited to introduce the best racing class in the world to one of the best sailing venues in the world,” said Patrick Lindblom, owner of the Swedish Farr 30 “ORCA” and co-organizer of the event along with Sailing Båstad. “Båstad is an extremely fun place to spend a week, and the town is used to hosting major events like the ATP Tennis Pro Tour, so we’re sure the visiting racers will have plenty to do after racing is done for the day.”

Fresh off her nailbiting World Championship victory, Class President Deneen Demourkas is looking forward to defending her title in Sweden.  “Sweden’s West Coast is simply gorgeous, and I can’t wait to race against some of the great European teams again,” she said.  “The weather and wind are perfect, and for racers’ families and shore crews there are some of the most beautiful white sand beaches anywhere.”  Demourkas extends a warm invitation to all Farr 30 owners and prospective owners, saying  “the Farr 30 Class has active fleets all over the world, and with the boat providing so much bang for the buck, we encourage anyone thinking of getting involved to do it.  I can personally attest that one sail on a Farr 30 will convince almost anyone that this is the boat for them, and Sweden might be the perfect place to see just how enjoyable the people and racing are.”
The 2012 Worlds begins 30 July 2012 and runs through 5 August.

Photo Credit: Kalle Sund/www.fotografkalle.se

Photo Caption:  A strong 11-boat fleet fights for inches on a top mark rounding during the 2011 Swedish Championship.