Force 5 Race Week and Midwinter Championships

Published on February 22nd, 2020

The 2020 Force 5 Race Week and Midwinter Championships, was held February 18-22 in Key Largo, Florida. The 25th year received winds ranging from 15-23 knots and a few higher gusts primarily out of the north-northeast. Thirty-three competitors from Canada and the USA participated.

The annual Nest Key Race was won by Jason Breeden for the second year. This race is a dash from the Upper Keys Sailing Club to an island in Florida Bay after which the participants enjoyed tropical libations ashore. The DoubleHanded Championship was won by Frank/Erica Lyons followed by Tom/Pat Welsh and Doug/Lauren Kinzer.

The Midwinter Championship in the standard rig fleet saw a duel between last year’s winner Mark Allen and Dan Synowiec with Allen winning the final race. In 3rd place was Jason Breeden followed by Philip Porte and Doug Kinzer. The radial rig fleet showcased local sailors with Bruce McCord in 1st, 2nd was Tom Trump, and Rob Howard-Flanders in third.

PRO for the regatta was Mike Catalano of Miami, a former Force 5 sailor and part of the original design