Offshore World Championship to Test Powerboat Racers’ Skills in Key West

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Sports fans with a need for speed can satisfy it at the Race World Offshore Key West World Championship, set for Sunday through Sunday, Nov. 3-10, in the waters surrounding the island city.

The annual world championship series is to feature boats raced by leading American and international teams, providing a season-ending test of skill for American Power Boat Association superstars. 

High-speed action and high-level competition are to keep spectators’ adrenaline pumping as the boats roar along a 4.4-mile-per-lap course that includes Key West Harbor. Race teams typically face both rough and calm water conditions along the course, which makes Key West one of the world’s most dynamic and challenging venues. 

The spectator-friendly course layout means fans can watch from vantage points breathtakingly close to the action, sharing the heart-pounding exhilaration as racers jockey for position. 

Presented by Performance Boat Center, the Race World Offshore Key West World Championship series is to kick off at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, with a parade of participating boats along the island's historic Whitehead and Duval streets. 

The action is to intensify throughout the week, with teams in more than a dozen classes competing in hard-fought races Wednesday, Nov. 6; Friday, Nov. 8; and Sunday, Nov. 10. Six races are planned each day, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. 

On race days spectators can get an unmatched view from areas at the race village in Truman Waterfront Park, located at the end of Southard Street past Thomas Street and Truman Annex, and adjacent “Outer Mole” pier. Other popular viewing areas include restaurants and bars at harborfront hotels, as well as Key West’s Mallory Square. 

On non-race days enthusiasts can view the boats, watch in-water testing runs and meet participating teams at the race village. Also planned are multiple parties for racers and fans, a build-a-boat contest and a “Boats & Boots” concert Saturday, Nov. 9, featuring a blend of local and national musicians. 

Following Sunday’s final race, awards are to be presented to the world champions at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, 21 E. Quay Road at Truman Waterfront Park.

General admission tickets are to be sold on-site at Truman Waterfront Park. VIP passes for the exclusive Truman Waterfront hospitality area, offering panoramic views of the racing action, refreshments and transportation by water shuttle, are available at raceworldoffshore.com/shop/outer-mole-vip/.    

Event information: raceworldoffshore.com/key-west/