Each winter, the sailing world converges on one place: Miami. The 99th Bacardi Cup runs March 2-7 on Biscayne Bay, marking nearly a century of partnership between Bacardi and the Star Class. Racing unfolds across six days. Add in the Bacardi Invitational Regatta, and nearly 200 boats will stretch across Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Shake-A-Leg Miami, Coconut Grove Sailing Club and the US Sailing Center. Biscayne Bay will be brimming with boats across multiple race circles.
“I feel like I get more excited each year with this regatta because it’s the biggest consecutive winning streak I’ve ever had”-Christopher Alexander
For one week each winter, the famed Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami becomes the epicenter of the sailing world. Olympians meet amateurs on the dock. America’s Cup veterans share weather notes with rising talent. You cannot walk through “the Grove” without running into legends of the sport or the next generation eager to join them.
Teams representing 25 nations have converged for the season’s climax: Uruguay, U.S. Virgin Islands, United States, Turkey, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Norway, Monaco, Mexico, Italy, Ireland, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Croatia, Canada, Brazil, Bermuda, Austria, Australia and Argentina.
Racing comes first. Always. But when the boats return to the dock, the Bacardi bar opens beneath the palms. The hospitality that has defined this regatta for 99 years remains woven into its identity: Competition by day. A Bacardi party by night.
“To our returning sailors, welcome back; we are excited to have you here with us once again,” said Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA. “And to those joining us for the first time, we are delighted to see the word spreading about what makes this event so special. We hope this is just the beginning of your journey with us.”
99th Bacardi Cup: The Star Class Takes Center Stage
Since 1927, the Bacardi Cup has stood as one of sailing’s most enduring benchmarks. 80 Star teams will race for the Cup as anticipation builds toward next year’s centennial. 16 nations have entered, and the list reads like a hall of fame roster.
Six-time consecutive champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada return once again. Their streak has reshaped the mod
ern record book. Each season has concluded with the Bacardi Cup Trophy raised high and passed around in celebration, a ritual nearly a century in the making.
Defending Star World Champion Paul Cayard continues his pursuit of the one trophy missing from his résumé. A Hall of Famer, two-time Star World Champion, and Rolex US Yachtsman of the Year, Cayard is set to race alongside fellow Star world champion, Olympian, and longtime teammate Frithjof Kleen. For Cayard, the Bacardi Cup has become unfinished business.
Among the contenders:
· Robert Scheidt and Austin Sperry (BRA)
· Jorge Zarif and Guilherme De Almeida (BRA)
· Marin Misura and Tonko Barać (CRO)
· Peter O’Leary and Joost Houweling (IRL)
· Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA)
· Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise (USA)
· Will Stout and Danny Cayard (USA), fresh off their Star Midwinter Championship victory on these same waters last week
At the age of 50, Olympic medalist Kusznierewicz continues to train and compete at the highest level. He credits discipline: “I’m focused on building habits, not chasing better results,” he said. “The pleasure of sailing and the faith in the process are the source of my success. Continuous commitment lifts me and makes me happy. It’s not a one-time decision, it’s a daily practice.”