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Races to return in 2014
City seeks 5-year Super Boat deal
BY GWEN FILOSA Citizen Staff
gfilosa@keysnews.com
Those adrenaline-fueled powerboats will return to Key West Harbor next November.
Two months after organizers considered moving the Super Boat International world championships from Key West to Clearwater, city officials announced Thursday that they persuaded the event's president, John Carbonell, to return to the Southernmost City next fall.
"The race is definitely on for 2014, and we are working on a five-year commitment between Super Boat International and the city of Key West," said Commissioner Mark Rossi, a chief negotiator for the city.
The 34th annual event at Key West is scheduled for Nov. 2-9.
Rossi confirmed the races will stay after a sit-down meeting at city hall with race organizer John Carbonell, his wife, Deana Carbonell, City Manager Bob Vitas and Larry Bleil, president of the Conch Republic Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (CROPRA).
Financial terms weren't released by any of the players Thursday, but Bleil said his group will "seek financial committees and assistance from the community to refine the financial obligations to bring forward the races in 2014 and beyond."
In a prepared statement released Thursday evening, Carbonell said everyone at the meeting "expressed the need" to keep the powerboat races in Key West as a revenue generator for the retail and service industries.
"I am happy everything worked out today," said Carbonell, president of Super Boat International. "We have received a lot of support from the city of Key West and from CROPRA. They are committed to increase sponsorship dollars and make the world championships another successful event."
Nothing was signed Thursday, but Rossi said the "handshake" agreement will stand, though declining to answer questions about what, if anything, the city offered to persuade the Carbonells to stay.
"Merry Christmas to the residents of Key West; a lot of people make their money for their Christmas presents on the powerboat races," said Rossi.
"There are concessions in place that the city's willing to give that will help out. There are other issues involved there, namely the Outer Mole Pier. That's for later."
In early October, organizers said they were considering moving the world championships to another city, such as Clearwater or Sarasota, due to concerns over local financial support.
City commissioners had responded by asking Vitas to present a five-year deal to Carbonell with the hopes of keeping his event in Key West.
Clearwater already hosts a smaller Super Boat event.
Last month, the city of Sarasota withdrew its request to take over the world championships.
Worth about $13 million in revenue and advertising exposure for the Florida Keys, the event received less funding from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council recently, $100,000 instead of $120,000.
"We won't take it away from Key West unless we have to," Carbonell had said in October. "I am weighing several different options."
"That's one of our premier events that showcases our beautiful island and waters," said Mayor Craig Cates, who in the 1990s raced a super stock catamaran with his brother, Scott Cates, called Conch Attack.
Founded in '89 by Carbonell, Super Boat International bills itself as the leading North American powerboat organization, hosting events that attract teams from across the globe.
Races include the V-bottom and catamaran-style powerboats that reach speeds of more than 200 mph.
Super Boat International reported that the 2013 season was "record year" for attendance, spectator boats and revenues.
The 33rd annual World Championships wrapped up Nov. 10 at the Truman Waterfront with more than 40 teams entered.
A weeklong event, the races comprise three days, while Super Boat International also hosts a downtown parade, parties and viewings of the teams' high-end racing gear in the dry pits on the waterfront.
The 2013 calendar included races in Biloxi, Miss.; Orange Beach, Ala.; New York, N.Y.; Michigan City, Ind.; Sarasota, Clearwater and Cocoa Beach.
Super Boat has released its 2014 calendar, which has an inaugural race in Charlotte Harbor and a race at Pensacola.
gfilosa@keysnews.com
City seeks 5-year Super Boat deal
BY GWEN FILOSA Citizen Staff
gfilosa@keysnews.com
Those adrenaline-fueled powerboats will return to Key West Harbor next November.
Two months after organizers considered moving the Super Boat International world championships from Key West to Clearwater, city officials announced Thursday that they persuaded the event's president, John Carbonell, to return to the Southernmost City next fall.
"The race is definitely on for 2014, and we are working on a five-year commitment between Super Boat International and the city of Key West," said Commissioner Mark Rossi, a chief negotiator for the city.
The 34th annual event at Key West is scheduled for Nov. 2-9.
Rossi confirmed the races will stay after a sit-down meeting at city hall with race organizer John Carbonell, his wife, Deana Carbonell, City Manager Bob Vitas and Larry Bleil, president of the Conch Republic Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (CROPRA).
Financial terms weren't released by any of the players Thursday, but Bleil said his group will "seek financial committees and assistance from the community to refine the financial obligations to bring forward the races in 2014 and beyond."
In a prepared statement released Thursday evening, Carbonell said everyone at the meeting "expressed the need" to keep the powerboat races in Key West as a revenue generator for the retail and service industries.
"I am happy everything worked out today," said Carbonell, president of Super Boat International. "We have received a lot of support from the city of Key West and from CROPRA. They are committed to increase sponsorship dollars and make the world championships another successful event."
Nothing was signed Thursday, but Rossi said the "handshake" agreement will stand, though declining to answer questions about what, if anything, the city offered to persuade the Carbonells to stay.
"Merry Christmas to the residents of Key West; a lot of people make their money for their Christmas presents on the powerboat races," said Rossi.
"There are concessions in place that the city's willing to give that will help out. There are other issues involved there, namely the Outer Mole Pier. That's for later."
In early October, organizers said they were considering moving the world championships to another city, such as Clearwater or Sarasota, due to concerns over local financial support.
City commissioners had responded by asking Vitas to present a five-year deal to Carbonell with the hopes of keeping his event in Key West.
Clearwater already hosts a smaller Super Boat event.
Last month, the city of Sarasota withdrew its request to take over the world championships.
Worth about $13 million in revenue and advertising exposure for the Florida Keys, the event received less funding from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council recently, $100,000 instead of $120,000.
"We won't take it away from Key West unless we have to," Carbonell had said in October. "I am weighing several different options."
"That's one of our premier events that showcases our beautiful island and waters," said Mayor Craig Cates, who in the 1990s raced a super stock catamaran with his brother, Scott Cates, called Conch Attack.
Founded in '89 by Carbonell, Super Boat International bills itself as the leading North American powerboat organization, hosting events that attract teams from across the globe.
Races include the V-bottom and catamaran-style powerboats that reach speeds of more than 200 mph.
Super Boat International reported that the 2013 season was "record year" for attendance, spectator boats and revenues.
The 33rd annual World Championships wrapped up Nov. 10 at the Truman Waterfront with more than 40 teams entered.
A weeklong event, the races comprise three days, while Super Boat International also hosts a downtown parade, parties and viewings of the teams' high-end racing gear in the dry pits on the waterfront.
The 2013 calendar included races in Biloxi, Miss.; Orange Beach, Ala.; New York, N.Y.; Michigan City, Ind.; Sarasota, Clearwater and Cocoa Beach.
Super Boat has released its 2014 calendar, which has an inaugural race in Charlotte Harbor and a race at Pensacola.
gfilosa@keysnews.com
