Ready to rumble: Bacardi Winter Series kicks off
by Hannah Lee Noll 22 Jan 22:19 PST
January 23-25, 2026
J/70s blasting down Biscayne Bay © Hannah Lee Noll
The road starts here. Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 1 launches January 23-25 on Biscayne Bay, bringing the J/70 and Melges 24 fleets back to Miami for the opening act of the 2026 Bacardi racing season.
Nearly 60 boats are launched and ready. Hosted at Shake-A-Leg Miami, the three-day regatta sets the tone for winter sailing at its best, pairing elite one-design racing with Bacardi's signature hospitality in the heart of Coconut Grove.
"This kickoff event is where momentum is built," said Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA. "Bacardi regattas have always been about bringing the best sailors together, hosting competitive racing, and celebrating friendships that last year after year."
Melges 24 Milestones
This weekend's regatta carries added weight, as it also serves as the Melges 24 North American Championship. With the fleet's world championship returning to the United States later this year, Bacardi marks a critical early-season proving ground. For many, the road to the Worlds begins here.
Among the new faces is helmswoman Lizz Flowers, making her sportboat debut with a new Melges 24 program, Mini Gal. The new team name nods to the WallyCento maxi yacht Galateia, which she helmed to a world championship title in September.
Beyond the North American title, this event marks the grand finale of the 2025 M24 North American Sailing Series. Peter McClennen's Gamecock currently leads the North American Sailing Series standings. Geoff Fargo's Sentinel and Steve Boho's The 300 are locked in a tie for second and third, respectively, only one point behind McClennen.
Also keep an eye on Laura Grondin, Bora Gulari, Drew Freides, Harry Melges IV, and more.
Star-Studded J/70 Fleet
The J/70 fleet returns to Biscayne Bay with its trademark blend of top-tier professionals, Corinthian teams, and emerging talent. A deep fleet is expected, with entries from the United Kingdom, Hungary, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States.
Multiple J/70 World Champions are represented in the fleet including Joel Ronning, whose Catapult team is now a Mixed-Plus entry featuring J/70 world champion Jeremy Wilmot alongside Women's America's Cup winning helmswoman and Olympian Guila Conti, Olympian Stephanie Roble, and Etchells World Champion Beccy Anderson. J/70 Corinthian World Champion Alec Cutler's Hedgehog is keen to become the first Corinthian team to win the J/70 Open World Championship; they begin their 2026 campaign here.
Also keep an eye on US Class President John Heaton, Bruce Golison, Dave Janetti, Doug Rastello, and Filip Engelbert sailing with the Rowdy team on Elvis. Following the recent 2025 J/70 World Championship in Buenos Aires, many teams shuffled the deck and feature a new roster.
Bacardi Hospitality Shines
When racing wraps up each day, the open Bacardi bar takes center stage. Bacardi hospitality turns competition into community and makes this city feel like home for sailors from around the world.
The Bacardi Invitational Winter Series is made possible by the partners who support it year after year. Bacardi proudly celebrates 99 years of supporting sailing, an unmatched legacy in sport. The event is hosted at Shake-A-Leg Miami with race management support from Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Sail22. North Sails will provide weather briefings, post-race debriefs, and on-site sail service. Centennial Bank, Regatta Brokerage, and Palm Beach Yachts are valued supporters.
Racing begins Friday, January 23.
The season starts now.
Follow the BACARDÍ Winter Series