Northerly winds that held steady from 12-16 knots provided the best racing conditions yet for Quantum Key West Race Week, with three races completed for the 10 classes on three divisions. There is a new leader in J/70 class. Tim Healy steered Helly Hansen to a couple seconds and a third on Wednesday to take control with a low score of 29. Catapult, skippered by Joel Ronning of Minneapolis, MN is 12 points behind in second. Geoff Becker is calling tactics upwind while John Mollicone is doing the honors downwind for Healy (Jamestown, RI), the defending regatta champ. “Going downwind we were in-between planing and displacement mode so you had to decide when to keep the bow up and the jib out,” Healy said. “There were big gains and losses to be made downwind.” Healy explained that a J/70 begins to plane in around 15 knots of breeze and attempting to do so when the wind is not strong enough causes the boat to really slow down. “It’s crucial to know when to soak it low,” he said. Racing continues daily through Friday for the 60 J/70s competing in their Midwinter Championship. Complete regatta details may be found at www.premiere-racing.com.