Please select your home edition
Edition
Cure Marine - Cure 55 - Leaderboard

Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 in Miami, USA - Day 1

by Luissa Smith 15 Dec 2024 00:22 UTC December 14-15, 2024
Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 Day 1: J/70 – an unstoppable performance from ‘Casting Couch' © Hannah Lee Noll

The two-day Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 opened today, Saturday, December 14, for the forty-six teams racing in the J/70 and Melges 24 on Biscayne Bay, Miami. The strong breeze set the stage for a spectacular and thrilling showcase of speed, skill and teamwork.

The morning weather briefing from North Sails forecast the powerful and challenging conditions, which saw teams battle an east-north-easterly breeze gusting to over 25 knots. While the front of fleet players thrived on the exhilarating yet punishing racetrack, others found it a test of endurance, with more than a few wipeouts.

As the conditions closed in, with driving rain, escalating breeze and the imminent arrival of storm clouds, Principal Race Officer Mark Foster made the decisive call to abandon racing after the first race.

Back ashore, teams gathered for a lively race debrief hosted by North Sails, delving into key takeways from the day. Bacardi's renowned hospitality then took centre stage, offering the chance to unwind with signature cocktails.

Racing continues on Sunday, 15 December, with a scheduled start at 1100 hrs. Alongside the challenge for podium places at BWS #1, teams will accumulate points as the series advance to BWS #2 on January 24-26, 2025, before culminating at the series finale, the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta, March 5-8, 2025.

J/70

Cate Muller's 'Casting Couch' put on a master class of superiority to lead the J/70 fleet from start to finish. Starting at the pin end, their unmatched precision and outright pace left the fleet to look on. Approaching the final mark, they powered up again, launching off to dismiss the chasing pack even further behind. Bruno Pasquinelli's 'Stampede' scored a well-fought second place, with third to John Brim's crew on 'Rimette'.

Muller, who returns to Miami for the first time since the Melges Midwinters in February 2023, described the day, saying, "It was not pleasant in the rain sense, but a really fun day of sailing pleasant!"

Referring to the conditions, Muller added, "It was top end of the range. We really just got off the line clean and let the boat do what it does. We were sailing pretty fast today, so it was a pleasant trip around the racecourse! We had a good time."

Muller complimented her team's strong dynamic, adding, "I have Nick Turney, who has been sailing with me like forever, he is still trimming kite and jib. Then Alan, my husband, is on the bow and Steve Hunt is trimming the main and calling tactics. It's going really well. I think that Nick and I have always had a really great vibe and it's awesome to have Steve and Alan, because they are both so incredibly talented, and now they can complement each other in a really fun way. There is tons of confidence in everyone and it's really, really fun.

J/70 Provisional Results: (top ten after 1 race)

1. Cate Muller-Terhune / Allan Terhune / Steve Hunt / Nick Turney (USA 34) - 1 pt
2. Bruno Pasquinelli / Greiner Hobbs / River Paquin / Patrick Wilson (USA 240) - 2 pts
3. John Brim / Ian Barrows / Ed Lebens / Scott Ewing (USA 19) - 3 pts
4. Margaret McKillen / David Gilmour / Chuck Norris / Orrin Starr (USA 1523) - 4 pts
5. John Heaton / Will Felder / Mark Ivy / Goncalo Ribeiro (USA 169) - 5 pts
6. Richard Witzel / Tomas Dietrich / Carlos Robles / Max Salminen (USA 1562) - 6 pts
7. James Murray / James Murray / Zeke Horowitz / Steve Leuck / Will Howard (USA 152) - 7 pts
8. John Gochberg / Michael Devlin / Cole Barney / Chris Schon (USA 551) - 8 pts
9. Kevin Morgan / Kris Werner / Dan Cameron / Scott Nixon (USA 40) - 9 pts
10. Ralph Vasconcellos Rosa / Guilherme Hamelmann / Julio Falcão Carvalho / Felipe Rondina (BRA 1226) - 10 pts

Melges 24

Ruthless racing in the Melges 24 saw Cuyler Morris and his 'Dark Horse' team launch a winning opener. Controlling the fleet from the outset was Richard Reid's crew on 'Zingara', who capitalised on their well-positioned mid-line start. Reid rounded the final windward mark ahead, but Morris had the speed advantage and reeled them in. Third to Brian Wynne's team on 'Trim Reaper'.

Describing the day, Cuyler Morris said, "We had a decent start, small fleet and just hung in upwind and had good run in the breeze. Then it really got exciting in the top second run, which is where the breeze really came. I have been sailing with these guys for a while, so we're kind of used to the heavy air and managed to slide downwind on that last run pretty nicely, before all the dark clouds really showed up. My crew is awesome. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to sail with."

Describing racing a Melges 24 in big breeze, Morris explained, "The boats are fast. They are challenging upwind and downwind. It's like hot butter on a skillet downwind, especially in that breeze. You get people in the back of the boat and it just goes downwind. It's a lot of fun!"

Melges 24 Provisional Results: (top ten after 1 race)

1. Cuyler Morris / Keiran Searle / Manu Weiler / Charlie Hibben / Elizabeth Whitener (USA 863) - 1 pt
2. Richard Reid / Brian Kamilar / Serena Vilage / Mark Spearman / Alan Johnson (CAN 853) - 2 pts
3. Brian Wynne / Eddie Adams / Ricky Welch / Emily Alfortish / AJ Pereira (USA 420) - 3 pts
4. Peter McClennen / Mike Marshall / Severin Gramm / Wilson Stout / Key Becker (USA 811) - 4 pts
5. Jaime Torres / Marty Kullman / Neil Battrum / Nick Amendola / Nick Barta (PUR 829) - 5 pts
6. Jan Frederik Dyvi / Jan Borø / Herman Horn-Johannessen / Stian Ness Rørvik / Malin Rørvik-Sundelin (NOR 749) - 6 pts
7. Stuart Simpson / Sam Hunt / Fred Kemp / John Downey / Bernard FitzPatrick (GBR 691) - 7 pts
8. Alexander Korakis / Ashley Korakis / Jason Chavez / Nadia Daggett / OH Rogers (USA 737) - 8 pts
9. Connor Baker / Ella Baker / Max Baker / Devon Baker / Todd Jones (USA 078) - 14 pts
10. Roger Lyon / Owen Szafran / Kevin Alcock (USA 443) - 14 pts

bacardiinvitational.com

Related Articles

Boat Buying Basics
Melanie earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before her car license Melanie Sunshine Neale earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before she got her driver's license. She grew up living aboard her family's 47-foot GulfStar sailboat, cruising up and down the East Coast and the Bahamas for 20 years. Posted on 13 Sep
Racing & Events Manager role in Dubai
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club is looking for a Racing & Events Manager Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC), one of the Middle East's most established and internationally recognised Sailing Clubs, is inviting applications for the role of Racing & Events Manager. Posted on 13 Sep
2026 Cruising Almanac launched
The indispensable companion for sailors cruising Northwest European waters The Cruising Association (CA), in partnership with Imray, is proud to announce the release of the 2026 edition of its renowned Cruising Almanac - the indispensable companion for sailors cruising Northwest European waters. Posted on 13 Sep
Aquila expands into sailing catamarans
Leaning into sailing roots to deliver new sailing catamarans with hybrid propulsion Aquila, the premier manufacturer of power catamarans, has announced its expansion into the sailing catamaran market with the introduction of three new models: the Aquila 44ES, 50ES, and 63ES sailing catamarans. Posted on 13 Sep
The RYA 150 Podcast launched
150 years. 12 Episodes. One remarkable community. As part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is launching a brand-new 12-part podcast series with the first episode live on Tuesday 23 September. Posted on 11 Sep
Superyacht Safety Comes Into Focus
As Monitoring Tech Booms The weather is changing, and it's not just a sailor's hunch. Storms are forming faster and are more destructive. Onboard sailing superyachts, captains and crews are facing new challenges in predicting risk, and the message is clear. Posted on 10 Sep
Fountaine Pajot unveils 8 new models
At the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival On the eve of the Cannes Yachting Festival, the Fountaine Pajot Group unveils a new season marked by ambition, with a record number of new models, an agile industrial strategy, and a strong environmental commitment. Posted on 10 Sep
Big Weather Gear appointed by Henri-Lloyd in USA
A high-profile return to the US market with its new retail partner Henri-Lloyd will be making a high-profile return to the US market with the appointment of Big Weather Gear as its new retail partner. Posted on 10 Sep
Chris Clark has joined Wescom Group
Meet him at Southampton Boat Show on the YouBoat Stand A052 Chris Clark has joined Wescom Group as UK Commercial Sales Manager for its range of electronics products. Posted on 9 Sep
Leopard Catamarans unveils the all-new Leopard 52
World premiere at Cannes Yachting Festival, US debut at Annapolis Sailboat Show Leopard Catamarans proudly announces the world premiere of its latest sailing catamaran, the Leopard 52, set to debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival on Tuesday, September 9. Posted on 8 Sep
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastCrewsaver 2021 Safetyline FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER