Strong line-up for Bacardi Invitational Winter Series in Miami
by Sara Zanobini 13 Dec 2019 14:41 PST
Bacardi Invitational racing © Kathleen Tock
After a successful debut, the second edition of the Bacardi Winter Series features two events in Miami for the Melges 24 and J/70 fleets with over forty teams set for the opening battle this weekend, 14-15 December 2019.
The Bacardi Winter Series kicks off on 14-15 December 2019 at Shake-A-Leg Miami, with the next face-off unfolding from 25-26 January 2020 in partnership with the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.
"In its second year, the Bacardi Winter Series is already established as must-do events for the Melges 24 and J/70 fleets," commented Sara Zanobini, Director of the Bacardi Winter Series. "This Series was in fact launched, in response to sailors wanting more winter racing in Miami and has plugged a gap in the market. We are really excited to see how the series progresses in this second edition, with over forty teams so far entered for event 1 and more expected on the starting line for event 2."
A formidable line-up of talent will descend on Miami for the two events and favourites for the opening event of the series in the Melges 24 fleet are Bruce Ayers and his team on Monsoon, who will be hunting down a repeat of last year's win. The talented team won both winter series events in the debut year and further advanced themselves in the competition stakes by the addition of the 2019 Melges 24 World Championship silver medal to their pedigree.
Battling it out for glory will be Michael Goldfarb and his team on Warcanoe, who finished 4th at the Melges 24 Worlds, and switch from racing a J/70 in last year's launch series. Proudly carrying the Melges family name is Harry Melges IV, grandson of the iconic sailing personality Buddy Melges, who heads to Miami fresh from racing at the 49er Oceania Championship and 49er Worlds in New Zealand.
Last year, Geoffrey Pierini and his team on 49 won the opening J/70 event of the Bacardi Winter Series and they return with their hearts set on making it two in a row in the J/70 fleet this year. They will be up against some impressive opponents including Joel Ronning and his team on Catapult who won event 2 of last year's Winter Series and more recently claimed the J/70 World Championships silver medal just three months ago.
"We are proud of our strong record of delivering world class racing and attracting world class sailors," said Mark Pincus, Race Committee Chair. "Miami is the perfect playground for winter racing and a strong line-up of well-known stars and Corinthian sailors will face off in the six races series this weekend. Our race management team is super excited for the weekend ahead."
Supported by the iconic Bacardi brand, teams will enjoy the renowned Bacardi Happy Hour cocktails and memorable shore-side hospitality for a fully immersive race and post-race experience.
Following on from the Bacardi Winter Series, the Melges 24 and J/70 teams will be invited to return to Miami and join the Viper 640 and Star class sailors for the Bacardi Invitational Regatta and iconic 93rd Bacardi Cup from 1-7 March 2020.
More information and regular updates at bacardiinvitational.com