Race World Offshore

 

November 18, 2021

Race World Offshore

One of the many annual events in Key West that was canceled due to Covid last year and that was somewhat in doubt this year, was able to make its successful return this year as the Race World Offshore World Championship powerboat races was back. One of the premier power boat races and events in the world, the event brings about 100 racing boats and thousands of participants and fans to Key West each November.

They host a full week of events including a powerboat parade down Duval Street, numerous parties and events and most importantly three days of racing through the Key West Harbor of the various classes of powerboats. I must admit my knowledge of powerboat racing is limited but I always try to attend a day or two of the racing events because it is really enjoyable and exciting to see the boats racing and I always try to get some decent photos. In past years, I have taken some terrific action shots and even captured a few massive wrecks and flips. 

This year I attended a couple of days of racing, starting on Wednesday when I went to the local’s appreciation party at the Ocean Key House to watch a couple of races, then returned on Sunday for a longer full day of watching both from the center of the action at the outer mole and from Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, which offers some of the best viewing of the racing.

The weather was overcast, but not as windy as it often is for the races and the rides for most of the boats was pretty smooth. There were a couple of accidents and at least two boats flipped over, thankfully no one was injured and they were able to be towed back to safety. I always also enjoy walking around the dry pits and checking out the midway displays and food that can be found along the outer mole within the US Navy Base along the Key West Harbor.

Offshore powerboat racers Lorne Leibel and John Tomlinson piloted Canada Homes to a Super Cat class world championship on Sunday, the third and final racing day of the championship. Driver Leibel of Toronto and throttleman Tomlinson of Miami pulled ahead of M-Con, which easily won the first two races Wednesday and Friday, after the 38-foot Skater broke down on the fifth lap of Sunday’s race.

M-Con’s driver, Myrick Coil of Osage Beach, Missouri, and throttleman Tyler Miller of Wathena, Kansas, could only watch Leibel and Tomlinson finish the race and grab a Union Internationale Motonautique world title. In the Extreme class, Huski-Alegra Motorsports earned world championship honors despite a breakdown shortly after Sunday’s start. Headquartered in Stuart, Florida, the boat was driven by Carlos De Quesada and throttled by Steve Curtis.

The Maryland-based LSB Hurricane of Awesomeness, driven by Brit Lilly and throttled by Kevin Smith, clinched the Stock V title after leading the class on all three race days. Boatfloater.com, throttled by Steve Kildahl and driven by his son, Stephen Kildahl, both of Sarasota, Florida, secured the Modified V championship.

It is a cool thing to have an event such as this in Key West, it is one of the crown jewels of offshore powerboat racing and always brings a nice crowd of fans and racers to the island. I always enjoy attending and taking photos, though I wasn’t so thrilled with what I shot this year. 

https://raceworldoffshore.com/key-west/