Defending Bacardi Cup Champions Kusznierewicz / Prada dominate Race 2
Miami, March 5, 2024 – They came, they saw, they conquered was the story on day two of The 97th Bacardi Cup for defending Champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada.
From start to finish, Kusznierewicz/Prada exhibited unrelenting control over the sixty-six boat fleet, claiming victory with an impressive lead of one and a half minutes. Kusznierewicz acknowledged the race committee with a tip of his hat at the finish line.
Another perfect day in Miami of warm, sunny weather and an 8-10 knot south-easterly breeze. A super keen fleet forced two general recalls, eventually starting all clear under a black flag.
With Kusznierewicz/Prada out front and coming into the first windward mark from course right, the battle unfolded behind with Austria’s Johann Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer and Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise jostling for second and third.
By the downwind, Kusznierewicz/Prada were still full steam ahead. Doyle/Infelise had moved up to second chased by the Austrians, with a further gap to George Szabo/Guy Avalon in fourth. Kusznierewicz/Prada extended their lead even further on the final upwind, with Doyle/Infelise and Spitzauer/Nehammer still tight, and separation in the chasing fleet. Heading into the downwind finish, the leading boats all headed course left with some tight tactics to settle the scorecards.
Kusznierewicz was delighted with his day. “I would like to say we were lucky, but actually we put all the pieces together and when I look at the race that we did today, we first of all had a plan, then we looked around and we connected all of the dots.”
“It wasn’t easy, it was shifting, clouds. I think the biggest factor that helped us today was we knew where the clouds were coming because they were moving along the course and you have to be very careful not to sail under the clouds. We were sailing on the edges of the clouds and that really, really helped us.”
Doyle/Infelise claimed a superb pin end start to set the shape of their race, finished second and moved up to second overall. “We had a big battle with the dream team of Mateusz and Bruno,” said Doyle. “We got close to them a few times and they would kinda slap us back. They were sailing fast with a lot of confidence.”
Doyle, who won the 2019 Bacardi Cup with Infelise, does have a plan of action. “In the next few days, we’ve got to find some way to beat Mateusz! We need to up our game a little bit. I think we learned a few things today. You know he sails with a lot of confidence and so do we. It was kind of like the past few years today, we were both out in front kind of battling it out. We’ve got a few things up our sleeve that hopefully we can pull off, so looking forward to it.”
A right battle ensued for third place, with boat speed rewarding Szabo/Avalon to make a remarkable recovery from their 34th place finish yesterday. They move up to 16th overall.
Szabo, who sailed his first Bacardi Cup in 1994, explained how going into the final downwind they punched their ticket, saying, “We found a little mode where we were just a touch lower and a touch quicker. We were pretty far behind, and we were able to sail down on Spitzy and got to leeward of him and gybed in front.”
The pair are sailing a Star that is new to them, as Szabo added, “We finally started to find the gears out of that boat, so it’s kinda nice to get the training wheels off and sail like it should be. We didn’t really do anything different tactically, just finally found the mode and made the boat go. It was kind of neat.”
Another super solid result from Lars Grael/Ubiratan Matos, who add a fifth place to their 3rd from yesterday. Grael, a two-time Bacardi Cup winner (2015, 2014), has been a regular on the Star stage for many years and returns to the regatta after a five-year absence.
“I was missing a lot the high-level competition in the Star Class,” smiled Grael. “I am not on the highest level at the moment, but I have been sailing some Star regattas in Brazil and also doing the Vintage Gold Cup in Michigan, so I am glad I am back.”
Commenting on his expectations, Grael continued, “I don’t have a target or great expectations. I know I am out of shape, but I am here to have fun and see if I can be top twenty, maybe.”
As with everyone, being at The Bacardi Cup is like being with your family, as Grael expressed, “I am glad to meet so many friends from many years sailing Stars in international events. I am feeling good. I am feeling like at home.”
The day one race winners, Augie Diaz/Henry Boening, found themselves buried deep and unable to advance from a 13th place finish.
Bradley Sheppard/Quinton Gallon from Canada are the top placed U30 team in 24th overall, and are supported by the Bacardi Cup U30 program.
Racing continues on Wednesday, March 6, with a midday start.
Provisional Results – Top 10 after Race 2
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Bruno Prada (POL 8559) – 3 pts
2. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise (USA 8580) – 6 pts
3. Lars Grael / Ubiratan Matos (BRA 8392) – 8 pts
4. Piet Eckert / Frederico Melo (SUI 8575) – 13 pts
5. Augie Diaz / Henry Boening (USA 8509) – 14 pts
6. Jørgen Schönherr / Markus Koy (DEN 8532) – 17 pts
7. Johann Spitzauer / Christian Nehammer (AUT 8529) – 19 pts
8. Josh Powell / Mark Strube (USA 8522) – 20 pts
9. Ante Razmilovic / Brian Hammersley (GBR 8443) – 23 pts
10. Paul Cayard / Frithjof Kleen (USA 8550) – 28 pts
The Bacardi Invitational Regatta gets underway from March 7-9, with nine races spread across three days for the J/70, Melges 24, Snipe, Viper 640 and VX One.
A special thank you to this year’s event sponsors and supporters: Bacardi USA, EFG International, Quantum Sails, Nautical Ventures, Shake-A-Leg Miami, Sail 22, HATUEY®Beer, Tuuci, Termodinamica USA, Harken Derm, Team 1 Newport, SLAM, Gubinelli Wines, Jaguar Therapeutics, Drop Jolly, Hobie Eyewear, Coconut Grove Business District, Zhik, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, US Sailing Center and the City of Miami.
Text Credit: Luissa Smith
Photo Credits: Martina Orsini
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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. BACARDÍ, its label, its bottle design and the Bat Device are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Bacardi & Company Limited. © 2024, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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EFG International is a global private banking group offering wealth management and asset management services. It operates in around 40 locations worldwide. EFG International operates in Miami through its subsidiaries EFG Capital, which provides its customers with investment and brokerage related financial services, and EFG Asset Management, which crafts financial advice for private clients seeking portfolio management and multi-family office services. Visit: www.efginternational.com
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
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Nautical Ventures offers top quality water sports products and support along with a highly trained, experienced, caring staff. We provide and promote adventurous fun and healthy lifestyle options to the general public, families, businesses and resorts in sunny South Florida. Visit: www.nauticalventures.com
About Shake a Leg Miami:
Shake-A-Leg Miami (SALM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health, education, and independence of individuals with disabilities through watersports and recreational activities. SALM in conjunction with the City of Miami, provides inclusive programs and services that empower individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. With a focus on accessibility, SALM ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. Visit: www.shakealegmiami.org