New Year, New Plan for Miami in March

The winter months can be long, and when the sailing is so good in Florida during that span, it’s no surprise how the trail south is well worn and worshipped.

The Bacardi Cup was first started for Star boats in Cuba, a humble beginning in 1927 for an event that today is one of the most revered championships in the class. While the series moved to Miami’s Biscayne Bay in 1962, it continues its six day schedule with one long race per day.

But when the sponsor wanted to spread its wings farther, in 2010 a parallel 3-day event – Miami Sailing Week – was launched. Competing classes have included J/24, J70, J80, Viper 640, VX One, VX Evo, Flying Tiger, Melges 20, Melges 24, A Cat and M32.

However, what made the Bacardi Cup a prized property for the sponsor was getting lost in the crowd, so for 2018 the decision was made to refocus the series on the original idea of a championship-level invitational event with the emphasis on quality instead of quantity.

Still sponsored by the venerable Bacardi Rum brand and the Bacardi family, who have been active patrons since the beginning, the 2018 series will be called the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta, will have new management, and be open to only the Star (Mar 5-10) and J/70 (Mar 8-10) classes.

With duties divided between Coral Reef Yacht Club and Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, days on the water will be followed by hospitality and outdoor parties that only Bacardi can deliver, with great food, tropical music and an open bar with plenty of Bacardi rum.

For other one design classes seeking a break from winter, the show will go on in 2018 for Miami Sailing Week but now it will be a wholly separate event. With STUDIOMILANO remaining as the organizing authority and the event continuing its base in Coconut Grove’s Regatta Park, racing will be held on March 8-10

Details: Bacardi Cup Invitational – Miami Sailing Week