Before the throttles opened, Wednesday began with a packed drivers’ meeting at Truman Waterfront Park. With nearly 100 teams in attendance, organisers called it one of the largest turnouts in Race World Offshore history; a fitting start for the 44th Key West World Championship.
But even before the green flags flew, drama struck. During Tuesday’s final test session, the “Cigar Monster” Bat Boat of Bracket Class 600 burst into flames just offshore. Rescue crews raced in, using their trimmed-up outboards to help suppress the fire, before extinguishers finished the job. Both racers, Mike Sadlon and Josh Landwehr, escaped unharmed, but their campaign ended before it began.
The Mead Family Racing flip
The defining image of the day came just seconds into the Factory Stock start. Caleb Mead and John Tomlinson in MF Racing launched into a violent, airborne flip after catching a rooster tail. The boat reared vertically, somersaulted, and bounced high again, still inverted, before settling upside down.
Spectators held their breath as SSR Safety & Rescue teams reached the scene within seconds. Miraculously, both men emerged unhurt, waving to the crowd moments later. The race was red-flagged, then restarted, with Say Less MF going on to claim the win ahead of GC Racing MTI and AL & AL.
Monster Energy roars ahead
Once racing resumed, Tyler Miller’s Monster Energy / M•CON team delivered a flawless performance to win the opening Pro Class 1 heat in 22 minutes 37 seconds. Starting from the outer lane, the 40-foot Skater cat powered past 222 Offshore Australia and XINSURANCE to take maximum points.
“We drew lane 8 out of 8; not ideal, but just went wide and let it work,” said Miller. “The boat was on fire. The Mercury 1100s were flawless, and the crew did a hell of a job.”
The victory sets up a fierce rematch with Clearwater rivals GC Racing MTI and XINSURANCE South when racing resumes Friday.
Dirty Money in command of Super Cat
C.J. Grant Racing / Graydel entered as favourites, yet it was Dirty Money Racing who stole the show, taking line honours over Rollin Transport and Hancock Claims | Farnsworth Motorsports.
“They don’t give these away; when you get one, you really appreciate it,” said throttleman Anthony Smith. “It’s not easy to win one class, never mind get on two podiums the same day.”
Farnsworth’s twin-class success gave the team early control of the Super V leaderboard as well.
Super Stock showdown
The day’s tightest racing came in Super Stock, where 14 near-identical 32-foot outboard cats finished within seconds. Team Nautical Ventures edged Raymarine by just four seconds, with Wozencraft third.
In the pits, Steven Bridges of Team GL Construction (Bermuda) described the excitement: “We’ve got fans flying in from Bermuda — it’s our biggest week of the year. This class keeps building every race.”
Meanwhile, Chad Havens and Leanna Shadlow of Team Demon Bikini returned after a tough debut season. “We’re both really happy to be here,” said Havens. “Every race we learn more about setting these boats up — and Leanna’s come a long way at the wheel.”
Across the brackets
Further down the order, results reflected the series’ incredible depth:
- Spirit of Qatar topped Extreme Class with a near-perfect 21:22 run.
- Saris Racing Engines won Bracket 4, followed by Simmons Marine.
- Rum Runners dominated Bracket 5.
- MDG Offshore Racing took Bracket 6.
- Dirt Legal Velocity won Bracket 7.
- OC Racing led Bracket 2.
It was a display of precision and power that showed why Key West remains offshore racing’s ultimate stage.
Day 1 summary and outlook
By sunset, the stories of the day were clear: Monster Energy’s Pro Class 1 win, Dirty Money’s Super Cat dominance, and the miraculous escape of Mead Family Racing after their dramatic flip.
Crews are already preparing for Friday’s Southernmost Continental Championship, with repairs underway, including a fresh rudder for XINSURANCE South, who vowed they’ll be back on the water.
If Day 1 proved anything, it’s that Key West still delivers the world’s most spectacular offshore racing — equal parts skill, bravery, and chaos.
