As posted on the Cedar Point Yacht Club Web Page, Edited for the Farr 30 Web Page and reproduced here with their permission.

Final Report - TeamBOLD Wins Farr 30 Class!

TeamBOLD accumulated 7 Race wins for the series our of 9 races and added two 3rd place finishes in races 7 and 8, creating a picket fence with a gate! TeamBOLD had a score line of thirteen points for the Regatta. Turbo Duck came second for the week with 26 points and Black Seal (who sailed a very good regatta) was third overall with 32 points. Groovederci, who won the day on Friday with 3 points, came 4th overall with 40 points. Groovederci also was awarded boat of the day on Friday, a great honor for the Farr 30 Class.

TeamBOLD was crowned the 2005 North American Champion at the awards ceremony, winning the "Irish" Cup, established in recognition of Dave Irish, one of the Founding Owners of the Farr 30 Class and the first Farr 30 Class President.

Back at our Team house, the traditional Magnum of Mumm Champagne was sprayed and consumed. Both Nelson and Brian Bissell were thrown into the pool, compliments of the very happy TeamBOLD crew.

To say that TeamBOLD had an amazing week is simple an understatement. KWRW-2006 was the stuff of dreams and capped 8 years of hard work. The Farr 30 Class is highly competitive and some will say that our win looked easy. Each race win was hard fought and wins were created with quality crew work and good tactical decisions. This week TeamBOLD simply had it all going on and brought our "A" game which was good enough to do something very unusual, to dominate a Farr 30 Regatta. We really enjoyed the racing in heavy air, the windiest KWRW on record and were able to maintain boat speed, height and control throughout the week. Higher and faster upwind and lower and faster downwind created our winning score line.

TeamBOLD has great respect for all of the Farr 30 Owners and Crew that sailed so well at Key West Race Week. Whether the teams finished on the podium or simply completed the Regatta, as all Farr 30 Teams did, they should all be proud of their effort and the seamanship they exhibited. They have all done our Class a great service by competing so well in the conditions we faced at Key West Race Week. Respect to All.

In addition to Owner/Helmsman Nelson Stephenson. TeamBOLD crew included Brian "the Missile" Bissell our tactician and mainsheet trimmer, Aaron Serinis on Jib Trim, Brian ("Woody")Wood on Spinnaker Trim, Matt Schubert in the pit (and doing a great job all week with passing wind information from the rail) and long-time bowman Nate Frizzell handling his job with ease in very difficult conditions.

A tip of our hats to our Sponsor, US SAILING AUTHENTIC COLLECTION and Doug Metchick of Penfield Marketing for believing in TeamBOLD.

No report could be complete without a tip of the hat to Anthony Kotoun, my Sailing coach and tactician for the past 4 years. Anthony has graduated to the big boat league following his 2005 World Championship victory in the J24 Fleet and his North American Championships in the J24 Class and the Laser Radial. Anthony was aboard Hissar at KWRW as tactician with Brad Read as Helmsman. - As reported submitted by Nelson Stephenson, TeamBOLD from Key West Race Week

Day 5 - TeamBOLD Wins Farr 30 Class!

January 22, 2006, Key West, Florida--TeamBOLD came to the starting line on Friday with an 11 point lead in an 11 boat Fleet, expecting only one race. The Division 1 Race Committee, headed by Peter "Luigi" Reggio, of America's Cup Fame, threw a curve ball, announcing 2 races. Racing Conditions were close to perfect and Peter was on a mission to complete all 9 races in the series for Division 1. The day would be longer than expected and two races threw an element of uncertainty about sealing the deal at KWRW 2006.

Wind conditions were again brisk with about 22 knots and heavy, sloppy waves. TeamBOLD got off the line safely in Race 8, although Turbo Duck engaged us immediately, luffing us hard on the starting line. We bailed to the right side of the course and picked up a 15 degree righty that made us the lead boat. As we worked our way out to the right side, a small lefty came in, improving the position of Groovederci and Turbo Duck. We tacked on the lay line and it immediately became clear the we were heading into a very close rounding......the goal now was to sail smart and not foul. Within the two boat length circle we were one length below lay line and Groovederci and Turbo Duck were coming from the left with good speed, barely crossing us to lead around the mark. TeamBOLD ducked both boats even though we were starboard and tacked twice to round safely in third.

The downwind leg (see helicopter shot above by © Tim Wilkes) saw boat speed of 14-16 knots and a gybing duel with Groovederci and Turbo Duck. At the downwind mark, Groovederci rounded even with TeamBOLD and we had both left Turbo behind by about 3 boat lengths......great racing in perfect conditions...... Groovederci held on for their first Race Win with Turbo slipping in for a 2nd, establishing a lead on Black Seal for the series.

The second race (Race 9) began in "only" about 16 knots and TeamBOLD got off to another safe start, immediately tacking to port and towards the favored right side of the course. Groovederci came right with us but Turbo Duck was match racing Black Seal up the left side of the course for 2nd and 3rd place in the Series. Groovederci came to the top mark slightly ahead with TeamBOLD approaching the mark on starboard and a tight lay line call. Groovederci crossed about 1 boat length ahead and continued on for a few boat lengths before tacking to the mark, slightly over stood.

It is hard to explain to someone how good a Farr 30 can feel, but with the speed and height we have had this week, we were able to head up a few degrees with speed and made the mark, despite the thin lay line call. Groovederci fell in behind and rounded just behind TeamBOLD. The gybing duel downwind was intense, with TeamBOLD gaining an inside rounding at the favored left gate mark with Groovederci rounding the closer, but unfavored, right gate mark. TeamBOLD continued out to the right side of the course with Groovederci following closely but unable to maintain speed and height. As we approached our upwind mark the RC hoisted code Flag "S", signaling a shortened course and the end of the final race of the Series. TeamBOLD crossed the finish line about 4 boat lengths ahead of Groovederci and won the final race of the Series, an exclamation mark for a great series..

TeamBOLD accumulated 7 Race wins for the series our of 9 races and added two 3rd place finishes in races 7 and 8, creating a picket fence with a gate! TeamBOLD had a score line of thirteen points for the Regatta. Turbo Duck came second for the week with 26 points and Black Seal (who sailed a very good regatta) was third overall with 32 points. Groovederci, who won the day on Friday with 3 points, came 4th overall with 40 points. Groovederci also was awarded boat of the day on Friday, a great honor for the Farr 30 Class. - As reported by Nelson Stephenson, TeamBOLD from 2006 Key West Race Week

Day 4 - TeamBOLD Survives and Prospers!

January 20, 2006, Key West, Florida--On Thursday TeamBOLD entered the day with 5 straight race wins but only a 9 point lead over Turbo Duck and Black Seal. The first race began in 22-24 knots of wind with higher gusts. TeamBOLD got off the line well but then rounded 2nd to Groovederci, last year's Farr 30 North American Championship winner at KWRW. On the downwind run we gybed away to port, passed Groovederci and powered our way upwind to a commanding lead at the downwind mark. The rest of the race was simply keeping the boat upright and moving in the big waves and puffy breeze, resulting in two more very fast legs and a 6th straight race win for TeamBOLD.

This has been the windiest KWRW on record and the Farr 30s have had a great event. Unlike the Melges 32 Owners who decided, in a Class Press Release, not to race in over 22 knots. They have mostly missed 2 days of racing this week and for a new boat that has been most surprising. People come to KWRW to race and not to sit on the dock while others race.

The afternoon race (race 7) began in 20 knots. TeamBOLD and Black Seal decided to use a #3 jib with Groovederci and Turbo Duck electing to use the #2 jib. The first beat was quite a battle with Black Seal banging the left side of the course hard and TeamBOLD conservatively taking the middle of the course, closely covering Turbo and Groovederci. At the top mark the wind had fallen to just under 17 knots and TeamBOLD rounded 4th. By the end of the first downwind leg TeamBOLD had changed its jib and caught Groovederci who rounded the favored right mark. TeamBOLD rounded the left mark and extended on port tack, immediately being advantaged by a 20 degree right shift. That dropped Groovederci to 4th and rapidly closed the gap with Black Seal and Turbo Duck. A furious tacking duel ensued with TeamBOLD sandwiched between Turbo Duck and Groovederci. By the end of the leg, TeamBOLD had almost caught Turbo Duck and had completely passed and then covered Groovederci for third place in Race 7. This was a great win by Black Seal who has worked hard to become one of the top boats in 2006.

Unfortunately, that meant that TeamBOLD's string of race wins had come to an end. TeamBOLD tied with Black Seal for the day and lost the tie breaker with Black Seal winning the last race of the Thursday 2 race set. 2nd Place was good enough once we learned that TeamBOLD had picked up another 2 points on Turbo Duck and that Black Seal and Turbo were now tied with a lot to race for on Friday. The amazing thing about the 2nd race on Thursday is that the 17-20 knots of wind speed made for incredibly calm and easy racing. After the heavy weather we have seen this week, the lower wind ranges felt truly benign.

Tomorrow is Friday, the final day of KWRW 2006. The weather forecast promises wind speeds over 20 knots and lots of potential for great racing. TeamBOLD is now 11 points ahead of Turbo and Black Seal, who are tied for 2nd place with Black Seal currently winning the tiebreaker. Should be great racing on Friday and there is always a chance that they will try to get in 2 races. We expect to do well tomorrow based on our performance this week. If successful, TeamBOLD will have finally won a KWRW Event after 8 prior attempts and a best KWRW finish in the Farr 30 Class of 2nd in 2004 and a 3rd in 2005. This regatta also determines the North American Championship; More on that on Friday night...I hope to be able to make a good final report. - As reported by Nelson Stephenson from 2006 Key West Race Week

Day 3 - TeamBOLD Continues Win Streak!

January 19, 2006. Today was the roughest weather day of the week with winds in the starting area of 25 knots and puffs and gusts well above 30 knots. TeamBOLD came to the starting line with 5 straight wins and a goal to simply sail, have fun and come back unbroken in conditions that would test the Farr 30 Fleet. TeamBOLD got off the line towards the middle of the starting line and had good speed, drag racing Turbo Duck and Groovederci to the left side of the course. Groovederci and TeamBOLD hooked up for a good match race and Turbo Duck punched out a bit, going a bit farther left than the rest. Black Seal and USA 14 (chartered by a J-105 Owner) looked good in the middle but eventually the left side won out.

Turbo Duck rounded about 2 boat lengths ahead of TeamBOLD and we rounded about 3 boat lengths ahead of Groovederci with the rest of the Farr 30 Fleet close on our heels.

Turbo Duck launched their masthead spinnaker in winds over 30 knots and both TeamBOLD and Groovederci launched Fractional spinnakers. Turbo Duck flew with the Masthead up but TeamBOLD sailed a slightly higher angle and worked the waves hard, surfing down each wave to maintain and inside overlap on Turbo Duck. We watched Turbo Duck prepare to gybe but they were hit by a puff which our wind instruments said was 33 knots. Our boat speed at that point was 21 knots and Turbo Duck was going a bit faster. Turbo Duck's crew went forward to begin the gybe and that buried their bow which tripped up on the next short wave, slowing the boat slightly and then spinning slowly out under the power of the masthead kite. It was like watching things happen in slow motion.

That left TeamBOLD in the lead with Groovederci about 5 lengths behind. TeamBOLD gybed the fractional spinnaker onto port gybe as Groovederci spun out behind us trying to gybe to match TeamBOLD's boat handling. With both Turbo Duck and Groovederci spinning out, TeamBOLD dropped the spinnaker and jib reached into the mark. In all the extreme action and avoiding the other boats (Swann 45s coming upwind). The angle to the mark had gotten extreme. Dropping the spinnakers was the right decision to allow the Farr 30 Fleet to safely pick its way through the Farr 40s that were now rounding the downwind mark.

Both Turbo Duck and Groovederci recovered quickly and followed TeamBOLD to the downwind mark, all on a screaming jib reach. After the rounding, TeamBOLD covered both TurboDuck and Groovederci tack for tack in some of the wildest wind and sea conditions we have seen in a few years. As we approached the upwind mark with TeamBOLD ahead by about 4 boat lengths, the RC signaled shortened course and no Code Flag Romeo flying. This would be the end of a wild but exhilarating day that produced TeamBOLD's 5th straight Race Win. Wednesday's win goes to the crew who handled the boat like champions in very difficult conditions.

When we returned to the dock we found that the Melges 32 Fleet had decided not to race in winds over 25 mph and had issued a press release to that effect. Their Owners decided jointly not to stress the gear or the equipment or risk injury to crew as they are all just learning their new boats. You have to respect their decision but that is unfortunate for a new Class.

There is simply no way to describe the extreme rush that comes from sailing a Farr 30 in big breeze. The sail plan depowers perfectly. With proper sail selection and good crew work, the boat is safe and seaworthy. Even in spinnaker broaches the boat handles well and the recovery is not that difficult for a skilled crew. After 10 years of racing together there is a great deal of trust among the Farr 30 Owners and the Farr 30 Fleet relishes our experiences in big breeze. - As reported by Nelson Stephenson, TeamBOLD from 2006 Key West Race Week.

Day 2 - TeamBOLD Wins Two More!

January 18, 2006 IF possible, today, Day 2 at KWRW, was an even better day than Day 1. The Farr 30 Class completed two more races and TeamBOLD has a "picket fence" working in the Farr 30 Class with two more race wins on Tuesday.

Wind was up this morning....blowing 24-28 knots as we left the dock. Race 3 of the series began on time with winds in the 22 knot range with puffs and gusts to 28 knots. TeamBOLD got an average start but our boat speed kept us in the hunt, rounding the top mark in 2nd. We had decided to fly the fractional spinnaker due to higher wind speeds and a desire to keep the boat upright. That worked out well when the first boat rounded, launched a mast head spinnaker and promptly wiped out in a spectacular broach. TeamBOLD completed the leg with commanding control and the fractional kite flying, with almost all other Farr 30s wiping out one or more times during the race. Control was the difference as TeamBOLD cruised to an impressive race win. Race 4 was sailed in a moderating breeze with wind speeds in the high teens and puff/gusts into the low 20's. TeamBOLD flew the masthead spinnaker and had excellent downwind speed. Out best start of the series saw us win the RC boat position for Race 4and we motored off into a commanding lead and finished the race with a 10 boat length lead. Speed and height against the other boats was again, impressive.

Keeping the boat under control was at a premium today and resulted in two more race wins for TeamBOLD, adding to our record from the first day. Second Place boat Turbo Duck was 2nd in both races and now has 11 points. Black Seal added 2 Thirds today and now has 12 points. Tomorrow will be breeze on again with even more wind than Tuesday. Should be another great day of racing in the Farr 30 Fleet. There was lots of carnage today on each of the race courses, with many spinnakers destroyed and poles broken. A few boats on other Divisions lost rigs today in the high wind and rough sea conditions. We have heard that 4 of the 8 Melges 32 declined to race today, citing not enough experience in the new Class. The Farr 30s held up fine and everyone handled their boats well in difficult conditions.

2006 KWRW is a true survival test for many of these boats on circles other than Division 1. The Farr 40s, Swann 45s and Farr 30s are all well sailed and we are having a blast. On TeamBOLD, we relish the higher wind ranges and look forward to more of the same (and more) on Wednesday. - As reported by Nelson Stephenson, TeamBOLD from 2006 Key West Race Week

Day 1 - TeamBOLD had a great first day at 2006 KWRW.

Our start in Race One was not that great, in fact, third row. But we were able to sail through the Fleet with really good boat speed and exceptional tactics. We were 4th at the top mark in Race 1 and then passed everyone on the 2nd upwind leg after rounding the unfavored gate mark at the 1st downwind rounding. Then, we held on to the finish for the Race One Win. The race was sailed in 7-11 knots with a building breeze. Trying conditions but TeamBOLD seems fast this week.

Race 2 was a much better start for TeamBOLD and we used superior boat speed and good course management to get off ahead and were able to stay there, extending our lead on every leg.

Race 2 began in about 10 knots of breeze and ended up with about 16 knots of wind to make for a great finish of a spectacular day of Farr 30 Racing.

Basically, TeamBOLD had a great practice day on Sunday following no practice on Saturday due to 35 knots of wind. In fact, no one left the dock, preferring to preserve the assets for Race Week. Brian Bissell used our great speed and used exceptional course management on Monday to create to wins in a very competitive Fleet. That adds up to nothing more than a good start with a great first day but lots of racing left. - As reported by Nelson Stephenson, TeamBOLD from 2006 Key West Race Week