Key West, Florida - More than 50 high-speed offshore powerboats are registered for the Key West World Championship, which begins Wednesday off the Florida Keys.

The entries include a team from Qatar with the "Spirit of Quatar," a 40-foot catamaran driven by Sheik Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani. His English throttleman, Steve Curtis, has won two world championships at Key West.

Peter Meyer of Port Washington, N.Y., is favored to win a second straight world championship in the Superboat Vee Unlimited class.

Following Wednesday's first race, races are scheduled for Friday with the event's finals set for Sunday.

On the Net:

Key West World Championship: http://www.superboat.com