"Hasso is very well controlled. We had good speed," said Russell Coutts, praising his helmsman Hasso Plattner. After two fourths and one first place, the German Farr 40 is promisingly second at the Key West Racing Week.
The season's goal for the Plattner crew, which also includes the two Germans Lorenz Jensen and Wolf Dietz, is actually the Farr 40 World Championship in Sydney in March. Key West should only be a preparatory regatt that Plattner contests with his second ship. But the field of 18 yachts is top-class with the best professionals in the world. After one task and two sixth places, Wolfgang Schäfer ranks 11th with his "Struntje Light".
Coutts will also be there on Plattner's maxZ86, which, contrary to original plans, he has not yet sold. After the American project manager and tactician Dee Smith was thrown out, Plattner obviously got the urge to take on Roy Disney's 86-foot sled thanks to the new connection with Coutts. In July they will sail the Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii together.
Rumors that interpreted the collaboration between Coutts and Plattner as an indication of an America's Cup commitment have clearly denied both sailors.
In the summer, Hasso Plattner is said to have been sailing in Germany again for a long time. The 60-year-old SAP founder wants to compete in Warnemünde at the 505th anniversary of the 505 World Championships.
Key West Results: www. Premiere-Racing.com