BACARDI WINTER SERIES OPENS THE 2022/2023 SAILING SEASON HOSTED BY BACARDI IN MIAMI, USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15th, 2022

MIAMI, Florida – The 2022/2023 Bacardi Regatta Series opens this weekend, December 17th-18th, with the Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 featuring racing for the J/70 and Melges 24 classes.
 
A strong line-up of forty teams will rise to the Biscayne Bay challenges, with the predominantly American entry list joined by teams from Canada, Cayman Islands, Germany, Italy and Mexico.

Hosted at Shake-A-Leg-Miami, three races are scheduled per day, for a total of six races. Post-race Bacardi will host its renowned cocktail parties to ensure the spirit of fun and friendship continues long after the racing.
 
“On behalf of Bacardi, I extend a big welcome to the J/70 and Melges 24 sailors who join us for Event 1 of the Bacardi Winter Series,” commented Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA. “We are immensely proud of our long partnership with sailing. As ever, the racing will be world class and Bacardi will host an event to remember. Enjoy the racing, the partying, the Miami vibe and the Bacardi rum!”
 
Teams will also be supported by event partner Quantum Sails, with pre-race weather briefings hosted by SailFlow Weather and Sail 22. Quantum Sails one-design experts will also provide racetrack insights to kick start everyone’s day. 
 

J/70
Amongst the names set to be up in the twenty-two boat J/70 fleet action are Richard Witzel and his team on ‘Rowdy’, who nailed last year’s Bacardi Winter Series opener with a win and followed up with a second at Event 2. Most recently Witzel claimed the silver medal at the J/70 Europeans.
 
Daniel Goldberg and crew on ‘Bazinga!’ have always mastered Biscayne Bay and shown consistency across the three events of the Bacardi Winter Series, with a 2nd at the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta last year.
 
Representing the Cayman Islands is Peter Cunningham’s ‘Powerplay’, whose crew are ever consistent and will be looking to improve on their 2nd place from last year’s Event 1. We can also expect a strong showing from David Jannetti’s ‘Very Odd’, most recently boosted with a 3rd at the Melges 24 North Americans in September.
 
John Brim’s ‘Rimette’ team know how to give everyone a run for their money. After an absence from the 2021/2022 Bacardi Winter Series, they will be looking to duplicate the form that helped them deliver a second-place finish at the 2021 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta.
 
Victory will not come easy and the difference between a podium finish or disappointment will be very slim. 

Melges 24
A fiercely competitive Melges 24 provisional entry list of eighteen teams sees a host of top names ready to claim the spotlight. These teams race frequently, know each other’s strengths very well and what it will take to win.
 
Recent silver medal form at the 2022 Melges 24 Worlds in September, puts Harry Melges IV on ‘Zenda Express’ as one of those to beat. He will face plenty of teams with vast experience of how to find the fast route and make the right calls on Biscayne Bay. Included on this list is Laura Grondin’s ‘Dark Energy’ team, who are regulars in Miami. They won last year’s Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 and were not far behind ‘Zenda Express’ at the Worlds, finishing 4th.
 
As a measure of ability, fifty percent of the teams competing at Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 raced at the 2022 Melges 24 Worlds. Six of those teams finished inside the top ten, so you can be sure this opening event is set to be a spectacular masterclass.
 
‘Warcanoe’ skippered by Michal Goldfarb also has plenty of talent on board and will be well prepared to set the pace. Ready to challenge are Germany’s Peter-David Karrié and crew on ‘Nefeli’, who finished 2nd this time last year, just ahead of Drew Freides and his ‘Pacific Yankee’ team.

 
The Bacardi Invitational Winter Series Event 1 and Event 2, January 27th-29th, 2023 will see prizes presented at each event.  The overall series winners in the J/70 and Melges 24 based on final scores including Event 3, the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta, March 9th-11th, 2023 will receive their overall trophies in March. 
 
The 2023 Bacardi Invitational Regatta kicks off with the Star Class racing for the iconic 96th Bacardi Cup from March 5th-11th, 2023. There will be three days of racing for the Melges 24, J/70, VX One, Melges 15, L30 and 69F classes from March 9th-11th, 2023.
 
Follow at:
Web: bacardiinvitational.com 
Facebook: facebook.com/BacardiCupInvitational
Instagram: instagram.com/bacardi_regatta

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Bacardi U.S.A. Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of family-owned Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth and the world’s favorite Italian sparkling wines, and other leading and emerging brands. Founded more than 158 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 7,000, operates more than 20 production facilities in 11 countries, and sells its brands in more than 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on Twitter @BacardiLimited or Instagram @BacardiLimited1862. Enjoy Responsibly.

About Quantum Sails:
At Quantum, we’re connected to sailors everywhere through our love of sailing and our belief that facing every challenge head-on is infinitely rewarding. For us, that means challenging convention – especially if that’s what it takes to help our customers and the sailing industry get to new, better places. As a company and as individuals, we embrace every single challenge you bring our way as our own. Since 1996, we have focused on providing the best-performing products in sailing. Today, we’re equally relentless about delivering a higher standard of service, customer care, education, support and mentorship. It’s how we’ll continue to help sailors at all levels pursue their passions and achieve their aspirations. Our commitment starts with our dedicated employees at more than 70 sail lofts around the world and includes hundreds more working behind the scenes to design, build and service Quantum® sails. Visit: www.quantumsails.com

Text Credit: Luissa Smith
Photo Credits: Martina Orsini