Bacardi Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Over 200 Boats
by Hannah Lee Noll 27 Feb 07:37 UTC
March 2-7, 2026
The Star fleet on Biscayne Bay at the 98th Bacardi Cup © Hannah Lee Noll
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.
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 Barac (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."
Bacardi Invitational Regatta Expands the Stage
Midweek, the Bacardi Invitational Regatta welcomes additional fleets to Biscayne Bay for three days of racing March 5-7. Shake-A-Leg Miami is the home base for the massive gathering of top sailors with Bacardi hospitality each night.
J/70 — 41 Entries
International depth is showcased in this deep J/70 fleet. Ralph Rosa's Mindset and Haroldo Solberg's OceanPact lead the Brazilian charge. Luis Albert's Patakin, Alec Cutler's Hedgehog, John Heaton's Empeiria, David Jannetti's Two Odd (WS2 champions), Bruce Golison's Midlife Crisis (WS1 champions), and Joel Ronning's Catapult all enter as serious contenders. Victor Diaz de Leon, tactician on last year's winning team, arrives fresh off a Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 2 victory last week: "We're proud of the win here during the Winter Series," said Diaz de Leon. "But the most exciting one is next, the real Bacardi Invitational Regatta during the legit, OG Bacardi Cup week. That's what we're really looking forward to."
Melges 24 — 26 Entries
The Melges 24 fleet brings depth and pedigree. Brian Porter's Full Throttle returns. Eddie Gary's Troublemaker seeks Corinthian success. Harry Melges IV's Zenda Express (Bacardi WS1 champions) and Sandy Askew's Flying Jenny (WS2 champions) headline a competitive lineup that includes Laura Grondin's Dark Energy, Bora Gulari's Mavi, Geoff Fargo's Sentinel, and U.S. National Champions Cuyler Morris's Dark Horse.
VX One — 29 Entries
Christopher Alexander aims for a fifth consecutive Bacardi Invitational Regatta victory, sailing with Ricky Welch and Gracie Howie. Australian contender Nick Cleary, sailing with Michael Dunstan and Miami's Lanee Imperato, will challenge if the breeze builds. Canadian duo Marc Farmer and Tej Trevor Parekh are known to perform under pressure. "I feel like I get more excited each year with this regatta because it's the biggest consecutive winning streak I've ever had," said Alexander, who recently sailed an incredible comeback story to win the 2025 VX One North American Championship.
Snipe — 18 Entries
Often called the "mini Star," the Snipe returns for its second consecutive year. Defending champion Ernesto Rodriguez sails with Spain's Marina Cano. Rodriguez narrowly missed a Snipe World Championship title last year and remains one of the class's most formidable competitors. Miami standout Enrique Quintero teams up with Lorena Fundora. Rising talent Ivan Shestopolov competes alongside Lexi Pline.
Across five classes and nearly 200 boats, Biscayne Bay becomes the proving ground once again. The season has been building toward this. Now it begins.
As the 99th edition unfolds and the countdown to the centennial begins, the Bacardi Cup legacy has endured generations: a celebration of excellence, camaraderie, and a shared passion for the sport of sailing.
This event is also made stronger by its partners: Centennial Bank, North Sails, Shore Premier Finance, Palm Beach Yachts, Regatta Brokerage - the Brian Kamilar Team and Shake-A-Leg Miami.
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