Hub of the Olympic Wheel in Miami

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt
The Grand Opening of Regatta Park was in 2015, and today it’s the epicenter of the World Cup Series Miami. As one of only four international events that brings together all 10 Olympic events for a format similar to the Tokyo 2020 Games, it is a massive benefit for this circus to land in North America.

Based in Coconut Grove, Regatta Park’s normal purpose as open space for small festivals and public gatherings has been taken over by 100s of Olympic boats, containers, support facilities, and the mass of people who have committed themselves to pursuing the greatest quest in the sport.

This is Olympic sailing on full display, and a wander through the park offers insight into the equipment and effort needed. This is not the America’s Cup or Volvo Ocean Race, where shore crew have been handed the craft for care. These are the sailors, who pursue their dream on the water and care for their crafts on shore. Medalists alongside the next generation.

With racing on Tuesday through Sunday (January 29 to February 3), the build-up is measured with boat preparation, time on the water, and meetings. And for the meetings, the 60 nations in attendance all speak one language: Starbucks.

Located a mile and a half from Regatta Park, and aside infamous Monty’s bar and restaurant, Starbucks is the hub of the Olympic wheel in Miami. As the counter serves a line of consumers (essentially printing money), the surrounding tables and power outlets are in full use discussing what it takes to win in Miami.

I’m surrounded by teams from USA, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Ecuador, and Spain, and that’s only at quick glance. I’m giving away chairs at my table so groups can surround laptops for weather debriefs and video review to assess sail trim and technique. Notebooks are busily making plans.

While I need coffee just to get out of bed, Olympic dreams appear to be caffeinated too. But at the end of the day, I’m all about Monty’s, the waterfront tiki hut setting to unwind. As the marina alongside Monty’s is also the base for regatta committee boats, I suspect discussions for the officials will be fueled too.

Competition details – Entry list – Facebook

The World Cup Series is an annual circuit of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors, and a key touchpoint for fans and media to connect to the sport of sailing and develop support for athletes on their road to Tokyo 2020 Olympics and beyond. Over 2,000 of the world’s leading sailors, representing 75 nations, have competed in the World Cup Series since its inception in 2008.

2018-19 World Cup Series
Enoshima Round: 9-16 September 2018
Miami Round: 27 January-3 February 2019
Genoa Round: 15-21 April 2019
Marseille Final: 2-9 June 2019