2010 Bacardi Cup
Race One:
Diaz/Prada win First Race of the 2010 Bacardi Cup:
Accomplished Floridian Skipper Augie Diaz teamed up with Brazilian Crewmate and 2007 Star World Champion Bruno Prada to open the first day of the BACARDI Cup Star Class competition with a win. The day's victory by Diaz-Prada, which took place among a field of eighty-four vessels in a light easterly wind up to 5 knots, was the first in five days of Star Class sailing. The Star Class started the week long BACARDI Cup competition, which also doubled as the opening event to the first ever BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, a new addition to the celebrated eighty-three year old sailing tradition.
"I'm not sure we can keep this pace up, but winning today is very exciting and a big step in the right direction. Today, it was all about the guy I was standing next in Bruno. He was a magician out there and I made sure to not do anything to hold him back," comments Monday's Star Class victor Augie Diaz. "The real key to the win was how we were able to approach the marks. We also were extremely lucky in the fact that we didn't make the same mistakes that some of the other crews did out there. We're pleased with today, but know we have a lot more to do before we go all the way."
Skipper Jud Smith and Crewmate Brian Fatih were able to capture second place out on Biscayne Bay with Skipper Gustavo Lima and Rubrio Basilio from Portugal following close behind in third. Rounding out the top five, Rick Merriman and Crew Phil Trinter and Peter McChesney with Crew Shane Zwingelberg were able to solidify their positions in fourth and fifth place respectively for the first day.
Race Two:
Light wind and a late start marked the second day of Bacardi Cup Star Class competition on Biscayne Bay with Skipper Rick Merriman and Crewmate Phil Trinter taking the overall top spot in standings with Brazilian Skipper Lars Grael and Crew Ronald Seifert securing the day's victory. In a session marked by a lot of movement and weak variable winds, the Grael-Seifert win was followed by a solid second place finish by Merriman-Trinter with Bermudan Skipper Peter Bromby and Crew Magnus Liledahl taking the third spot. Two more United States teams followed behind with Skipper Peter Wright and Crew Nathan Quist finishing fourth and Skipper Andy Horton and Crew James Lyne finishing out Tuesday's top five in the quest for the Bacardi Cup.
With a second place finish today and a fourth place finish yesterday, Merriman-Trinter were able to look sharp in the overall standings leading with the most points as the BACARDI Cup continues tomorrow on through Saturday, March 13th as the class headlining BACARDI Miami Sailing Week.
"The last two days have been real light and the wind shifts really haven't been that large, but they've really mattered. We found the pressure we needed and felt we had a good start to the day, which really helped along with a big gain in the second run," comments Skipper Rick Merriman. "It's been difficult out there, but luckily we've been able to stay consistent. We've really seen a lot of interesting movement because the conditions have been so light and shifty."
After two days of competition, overall standings include Merriman-Trinter as the current points leader with Horton-Lyne in second place. Stout-Peters is currently in third overall with McChesney-Zwingelberg in fourth and fifth place going to Team Melleby-Morland.
Race Three:
Skipper Andy Horton and Crew James Lyne edged up from their fifth place finish yesterday in the standings to secure the top spot Wednesday in the third day of Star Class sailing for the Trofeo Bacardi. Wind conditions increased slightly later in the afternoon to about a 10 knot high in a field that was spread out in comparison to the tight group yesterday. With three more days of Star Class sailing to go, Wednesday's midway point has U.S. Team Horton-Lyne in first place overall with Ireland's Skipper Peter O'Leary and Crew Stephen Milne taking second. Yesterday's leader, American Skipper Rick Merriman and Crew Phil Trinter faded slightly with a still solid third place finish today while Brazilian Skipper Lars Grael with Crew Ronald Seifort placed fourth and first day victors American Augie Diaz alongside sailing phenomenon Crew Bruno Prada came in fifth place overall to round out the top five.
"The breeze was light again today, but we're expecting the wind to become stronger later in the week with the weather. Today, the real challenge was getting over to the wind, which was tough today, but we managed to spring out of jail and really get out there," comments Skipper Andy Horton. "We're trying to approach this like any big regatta by really staying focused and not being too risky. This is a strong fleet of competitors and you have be careful. The breeze is supposed to pick up a bit later this week and we're going to continue to try to do our best and see where we are at Saturday."
Race Five:
Americans Rick Merriman and Phil Trinter controlled their destiny by winning the sixth and final day of Star Class sailing to cap their first ever Bacardi Cup. With strong gusty wind conditions puffing up to 24 knots on a clear sunny day, at least five Star Class masts were snapped off navigating strong winds including the contending Bermudian Peter Bromby. "We were right behind him (Bromby) until he broke his mast trying to jibe in one of the bigger puffs at the mark," explained Merriman. "Then the wind luckily backed off for us a little and we were able to survive the jibe and after that, we just focused on sailing conservatively."
With wind becoming an increasing concern early in the afternoon, the decision was made to not hold an additional Star Class race to make-up Friday’s cancellation due to windy weather.
Results
(Five races sailed on March 8-13 at Miami, Florida. No racing on March 12 due to tornado warnings.)
