Another Round, Please: Bacardi Winter Series Returns This Weekend
by Hannah Lee Noll 18 Feb 16:52 PST
February 20-22, 2026
2026 Bacardi Winter Series © Hannah Lee Noll
Biscayne Bay heats up again February 20-22 as Bacardi Winter Series Event No.2 brings the J/70 and Melges 24 fleets back for round two of the 2026 Miami campaign.
With 42 boats already registered, the weekend promises the signature blend of competition and hospitality that defines Bacardi regattas. This marks the second Bacardi-sponsored event in Miami this winter, including the Bacardi Winter Series events and the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta in March.
Three sunny, 80-degree race days are on the menu. Sailors are looking at forecasts of 10-15 knots on Friday and Saturday, followed by a light-air Sunday morning face-off for the title.
"This series is about rhythm," said Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA. "You come to Miami, you measure yourself against the best, and you build toward something bigger."
Hosted at Shake-A-Leg Miami, Event No. 2 doubles down on the established groundwork from January: race hard by day, gather dockside at sunset, and do it all again tomorrow.
J/70 Corinthian World Champions, Alec Cutler's Hedgehog with new tactician Keith Davids
J/70 International Depth and Heated Storylines
27 J/70s will race this weekend, representing Great Britain, Hungary, Mexico, Sweden, Bermuda, and the United States. The fleet remains stacked. Rich Witzel's Rowdy is back in Miami and looking sharp. Dave Jannetti's Two Odd fields a powerhouse roster including Victor Diaz de Leon, Willem van Waay, and Andy Horton. Joel Ronning's Catapult, a Mixed-Plus entry, continues to showcase world-class talent.
Alec Cutler's Hedgehog is sporting a strong new tactician with Keith Davids as they look to dominate Corinthian fleet and take a jab at the Open podium. Marina Lamphier's BeatMachine snatched their limelight last month and are currently riding a season-long heater; will it continue?
Melges 24: Adjusted Lineups, Familiar Firepower
15 Melges 24s are set to compete, and the fleet features a mix of returning champions, international entries, and new roster combinations. With the Melges 24 World Championship returning to the United States later this year, each Biscayne Bay start line matters.
Defending Bacardi Winter Series champion Harry Melges returns with his Zenda Express and a refreshed lineup that includes Ripley Shelley, Colleen O'Brien, Will Huerth, and now Olympian Luke Muller. Zenda's early-season signal has already been sent; now the fleet looks to respond. International strength arrives in the form of Dario Levi's Fremito D'Aria and Vladimir Prosihkin's NIKA, while Stuart Simpson's Barbarians headlines the Corinthian contingent.
Two additional favorites arrive with adjusted crews. Bora Gulari's Mavi with tactician Kyle Navin returns as "Full Mavi," a nod to Full Throttle, joined by RJ Porter and Bri Porter this week. Meanwhile, newly crowned US Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Laura Grondin lines up with Taylor Canfield, Scott Ewing, George "Bear" Peet, and Tomas Dietrich, adding even more championship depth to an already competitive fleet.
Welcome Home
When racing concludes each afternoon, the open Bacardi bar becomes the center of gravity. Hands fly in animated sailor debriefs. Teammates reconnect after a month apart. Someone makes the hero run back down the dock, balancing a tray of rum and cokes for the crew mid-derig.
For 99 years, Bacardi has supported sailing, an unparalleled legacy in the sport. The Bacardi Winter Series is made stronger by its partners: Centennial Bank, North Sails, Shore Premier Finance, Palm Beach Yachts, Regatta Brokerage - the Brian Kamilar Team, Sail22, and Shake-A-Leg Miami.
North Sails will be onsite all weekend, providing daily weather briefings, post-race debriefs, and on-site sail service to support the fleet.
Recognizing Excellence
The Bacardi docks are no stranger to greatness, and this winter the spotlight shines on two familiar names. Longtime Bacardi Cup competitors Paul Cayard and Laura Grondin were recently named the 2025 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year.
Cayard's Star World Championship victory and Grondin's historic J/70 World Championship win reflect the standard of excellence seen each winter on Biscayne Bay. Both have built their campaigns racing in Miami at Bacardi where champions are forged.
Their achievements reinforce what the Bacardi Winter Series has always represented: this is where the best come to measure themselves.
Racing begins Friday, February 20. The season continues.
Follow the BACARDI Winter Series