Full wind range for Bacardi Winter Series

The 2021-22 Bacardi Winter Series holds its second of three events on January 28-30, featuring the J/70 and Melges 24 Classes, with the foiling Persico 69F making its debut on USA waters. Hosted at Shake-A-Leg-Miami, the provisional entry list of over fifty teams will compete on Biscayne Bay.

The weather is currently forecast to be light on day one with around 7-10 knots of breeze, ramping up to a 20 knot blow and gusts up to 28 knots on day two before easing on the final day.

Melges 24 Class
While Bora Gulari (USA) on New England Ropes took honors this time last year, it was Laura Grondin (USA) on Dark Energy that won the opening Bacardi Winter Series event 1 in December 2021. Also, Peter Duncan (USA) and his Rasta Mixta team are fresh from their victory at the 2022 Southernmost Regatta in Key West, FL.

Over twenty Melges 24 teams will compete, with racing scheduled to get underway each day at 1100 hours, followed by the J/70 starts, with two daily races for each class.

J/70 Class
Richard Witzel (USA) on Rowdy opened their Bacardi Winter Series by winning event 1 in December 2021, and will be one of over twenty-five teams contesting the six-race J/70 series. Another favorite is Travis Odenbach (USA) and crew on Honey Badger who wrapped up victory at the 2021 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta.

The J/70 also met up in Key West, with Bobby Julien (USA) and crew on Dingbat coming out on top and keen to repeat their front running form.

Persico 69F
Following a successful European campaign last summer, the ambitious 69F Team has expanded its race circuit and takes to the Biscayne Bay waters for the class’ first ever event in the USA. Six national teams will compete in this foiling boat, with top speeds of up to 34 knots. The open race format allows the race management team to run an unlimited number of races, with no discards and one race to constitute the event.

Series information – Race details – Facebook

The 2021-22 Bacardi Invitational Winter Series is held for J/70 and the Melges 24 fleets on December 18-19 and January 28-30 (along with Persico 69F) with the finale on March 9-12. Also racing in March are the VX One, Viper 640, and Persico 69F classes. Additionally, the Star Class will headline the historic Bacardi Cup, one of the world’s oldest sailing events, which celebrates its 95th anniversary on March 6-12, 2022. – Details

Source: Bacardi