Key West Coffin Remains Shut

Launched in 1988, Key West Race Week delivered 30 great years before an avalanche of variables forced the Storm Trysail Club, the steward of the event in 2016 and 2017, to call it quits.

So in 2018 we missed the January retreat of epic sailing conditions and an unmatched shoreside vibe, but would we suffer this fate again in 2019? Apparently so according to this post on the event Facebook page:

As we approach the two-year mark since the last Key West Race Week in 2017, the Storm Trysail Club has been asked about the possibility of Key West for 2019.

Unfortunately, the changing nature of the classes and boats that historically constituted the heart of the fleet along with changing conditions in Key West do not create an environment in which the event can be run, at least in its traditional format.

For one thing, the space for the temporary boatyard at the Truman Annex which stored, launched and hauled the majority of the smaller boats is no longer available.

That said, the sponsor base remains very interested in working with Storm Trysail, the Club continues to believe that the organization and management of events is an important part of its Mission and we will continue to try and develop venues and formats, perhaps in Key West and perhaps elsewhere, that boat owners will find challenging and fun.