A Q&A with Sara Zanobini about the 2018 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta
by David Schmidt 28 Feb 2018 16:42 PST
4-10 March 2018
Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta © Marco Oquendo / Gilles Morelle
When it comes to truly classic and historic One Design regattas, few have the legs to compete with the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta (nee the Bacardi Cup), which started in 1927 on the waters off of Havana, Cuba, with ten participating Star class boats and has grown and transformed into this year's event, which is unfurling from March 4-10 and has drawn 131 boats from 20 countries. While 2018 marks the 91st anniversary of this tempting late-winter regatta, it also marks the 56th consecutive year that the event has been contested on the waters of Florida's Biscayne Bay.
As returning race veterans know, and as event first-timers will learn, competition levels have historically been fierce at Bacardi Cups, and this year's Invitational Regatta is promising to offer some of the best One Design action afloat, as both class' reigning champions—Elvind Melleby and Joshua Revkin (NOR) in the Star class and Peter Duncan (USA) and crew in the J/70 class—will be defending their honour amongst a veritable who's-who list of One Design sailors.
While Stars have historically been raced in the Bacardi Cup, this year the event organizers have opened the event up to the J/70 class as well.
This year's 2018 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta is being hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club (Stars) and the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club (J/70s), while evening entertainment and libations will be provided by Bacardi Rum, who is returning for their 91st turn as title sponsor. I interviewed Sara Zanobini, event director of the 2018 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta, via email, to learn more.
Can you tell us about the decision to only invite two classes to this year's Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta? I obviously understand the Stars historic connection to the Bacardi Cup, but how did the J/70s earn their way into this prestigious regatta?
Because of the damage Hurricane Irma caused to the whole waterfront last September we were limited in the amount of classes we could invite to this year's event. The yacht clubs could only run one circle each.
So when it came to choosing one additional class besides the Star Class, the J/70 class was the best choice as the fastest and largest growing class [afloat].
Which class do you think will be more competitive—the Stars or the J/70s? Also, are there any teams that you think will be especially competitive?
The sport's biggest names are attracted to the high-quality racing this event has to offer. Both classes will have huge competition both internationally and domestically.
With the entry list already teeming with super-talented World Champions, Olympians, and America's Cup stars it's hard to tell who will be in top. A handful of 10 boats in each class will be fighting for the first spots!
Right up in the mix of the Star Class line-up will be Paul Cayard, Mark Mendelblatt, Diego Negri and many more. Amongst those targeting victory in the J/70 [class] is Jud Smith, Brian Keane and Vincenzo Onorato.
There were some significant problems at the 2017 J/70 Words in terms of boats arriving with equipment that was outside of the class' strict One Design standards—how will you and the other race organizers will ensure that there's no equipment tomfoolery?
We don't measure [J/70s or Stars] at this event because it's an invitational regatta and not a class-sanctioned regatta for either class.
The J/70s are coming to us a week after their Midwinter Championship where all boats were checked. If there is a question on a winning boat, we can always request to inspect them.
Am I correct that the Stars complete their regatta before the J/70s begin sailing? If so, what's the reason for this? Also, if the different classes race on different days, is there any opportunity for the sailors to intermingle and socialize?
Correct. The Star class starts sailing on Monday, March 5th, and they'll be sailing for six full days. The Bacardi Cup has been a week-long event since 1927 when competitors used to go to Cuba for a week filled with fun and entertainment. Both Bacardi and the Star Class are trying to keep the tradition alive.
The J70s will start sailing on Thursday and will sail for three days. There will be plenty of opportunity for the two classes to intermingle and socialize during the Bacardi happy hour and the Bacardi parties.
What's the regatta's format? Windward-Leeward races, or will you involve other shaped courses? Also, how many races per day do you anticipate each class enjoying, provided that the weather/wind cooperates?
Each class has several approved courses, which generally include Windward-Leeward races or triangles when wind blows harder.
The Stars will be sailing one long race per day-like it's been for the past 91 years-while the J/70s will have a total of three races scheduled per day.
What kind of nightlife and onshore entertainment can sailors look forward to, after a great day on the water?
After a long day on the water Bacardi will greet and host competitors each evening with great food, music and plenty of Bacardi rum. Teams and supporters from both classes are welcomed to unwind shore side and chat about their day.
Social events launch with the Bacardi Cup Welcome Cocktail at Coral Reef Yacht Club on Sunday, March 4th [and progress through] the Bacardi Cup Star Class Party on Monday March 5th, the Welcome Cocktail and Dinner at Biscayne Bay Yacht Club on March 7th and the prize Giving Dinner on Saturday, March 10th.
Has the Bacardi Cup taken any steps in recent years to reduce its environmental footprint or otherwise green-up?
Bacardi Cup has teamed up with Sailors for the Sea and other local non-profit organizations, which work on reducing [an event's] environmental footprint. Over the past couple of years Bacardi initiated a "no straw" movement to reduce waste. Straws and stirrers are among the most collected pieces of trash in our oceans
Anything else that you'd like to add, for the record?
2018 is a transitional year for the Bacardi Cup Regatta. Due to the damage hurricane Irma caused to the waterfront we could only invite two classes. Next year we expect to be back with four or more classes.