Race 1: Ft. Lauderdale to Key West

After sitting in her cradle since November, enjoying a rigorous schedule of refits, repairs and upgrades, the mighty Prospector returns to the water in fighting shape!  The Silver Canoe and her crew are ready to shake off any winter cobwebs and tackle the 41st annual Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race.  Starting at 1300 hrs on Wednesday January 11, the 160 mile sprint to the Conch Republic will offer an exciting start to the 2017 campaign as the team looks to get back in race mode and have a crack at the course record of 10 hours 24 minutes set by Joe Dockery on the R/P 81 Carrera in 2005.

The weather briefing offers the perfect antidote to the snowy cold currently gripping the North East.  Temps in the upper 70s with 15-20 knot easterlies should make for a great ride to Key West, offering the opportunity to quickly get down to the many watering holes on Duval Street provided the team is able to find relief from a strong northerly flow of the Gulf Stream.

Challenging Prospector for line honors will be familiar foes like Wizard, Privateer and Chessie Racing - all of whom will be eager to kick 2017 off with a bullet.  Here’s hoping Prospector and her crew keep them in the rear view mirror!

Join the adventure!  Follow the race through the  official tracker and look for updates from on deck via @prospectorsailing on Instagram.