2023 Bacardi Cup
Preview Report
The 96th Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Invitational Regatta (BCIR), will take place March 5-11, 2023 and will welcome some 180 teams across six classes, making it a record line-up of boats and sailors.
“As always it is a pleasure and an honor for Bacardi to host sailors from around the world for our regatta,” said Eddie Cutillas, Bacardi USA. “We are thrilled to welcome over six hundred sailors from twenty-six countries to enjoy the racing, the Bacardi hospitality and the South Florida lifestyle. “Even world class regattas can’t just be about sailing. What makes the Bacardi Cup are the people - the sailors, the race committee, the volunteers - the Bacardi flair, the warm weather, crystal clear water, live music, party tempo – and being part of something so exceptional. All sailors dream of crossing the finishing line as champions in Miami. I hope all teams exceed their expectations this year,” concluded Cutillas..jpg)
The Bacardi Cup has been a constant for over nine decades, with Star sailors the world over aspiring to compete, celebrate the regatta’s glorious history and secure their names on the prestigious trophies.
Those competing know the Bacardi Cup is something special, with its unique blend of competition, camaraderie and a great party. Year after year, the Bacardi Cup has delivered excellence, bringing together the world’s best, and 2023 is no different as seventy-five teams will vie for supremacy.
Since 1927, forty-five different teams having claimed Bacardi Cup glory. Defending champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada are the first same-crew partnership to complete a three-peat, with wins in 2019, 2020 and 2022. While they return to attempt another title defense, it will take a lot more work before they edge close to Ding Schoonmaker, who remains the most prolific Bacardi Cup champion with eight victories.
Racing gets underway at 1200 hours on March 6, featuring plenty of big names amongst the runners and riders, including Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise who won in 2019, and finished second in 2022 and 2021. Croatia’s Tonci Stipanovic/Tudor Bilic, who picked up the silver medal at the 2022 and 2021 Star Worlds, will be looking to upgrade on their 14th place from last year. Ever present are Paul Cayard/Frithjof Kleen, who most recently raced together at the 2022 Star Worlds claiming bronze and finished 7th in Miami last year. Jack Jennings/Pedro Trouche have proven a force, racking up two race wins last year but countered with scores that placed them in 6th overall. From Norway, Eivind Melleby/Joshua Revkin lay claim to many Star successes, but as yet the Bacardi Cup has remained elusive.
Launched in 2023, the Bacardi Cup U30 Program supports participation by skippers and crew who are under thirty, with six teams set to benefit from the program this year.
The venerated Bacardi Cup and Tito Cup will be the highlight of the awards ceremony, with other sought-after prizes awarded to the top finishing U30 team, Masters (skippers aged 50 through 59), Grand Masters (skippers aged 60 and above) and Exalted Grand Masters (skippers aged 70 and above). As always, the Tammy Rubin-Rice Trophy presented to the highest placing team who did not otherwise win an award.
Day One
The 96th Bacardi Cup, March 5-11, 2023, kicked off today in Biscayne Bay, Miami with the opening race for the Star Class featuring seventy-three teams from seventeen nations across North and South America and Europe.
After a one-hour postponement ashore waiting for breeze, followed by a general recall, race 1 got underway at 1320 hrs in a light 7-9 knots southerly. The breeze increased at the first windward mark to 10 knots, before easing to remain between 7-9 knots for the rest of the 8nm race.
Impressive form from Denmark’s Jørgen Schönherr/Markus Koy, who found the formula to convert their position outside the top ten at the first mark to nail a decisive opening win. “We are feeling great,” smiled Koy. “I mean winning a race is always like, it couldn’t be better. We feel confident, because we won the last two Bacardi Cup Races,” added Schönherr, in reference to winning the final race of the 2022 Bacardi Cup and today’s opening race.
Leading off the start and upwind were two big name teams in the Star, defending Bacardi Cup champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada and Austria’s Hans Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer. Between them they have more Olympic history than fits on two hands, counting thirteen appearances in total. Add to that multiple World and Continental Championships appearances and podium finishes across different classes and we have serious talent. The last time the two teams faced each other was at the 2021 Star Worlds, where it was advantage to Spitzauer/Nehammer who secured bronze, with Kusznierewicz/Prada in fifth.
Whilst eventual race victors Schönherr/Koy were back around tenth at the first mark, Spitzauer/Nehammer rounded ahead with Kusznierewicz/Prada a few seconds behind. At the downwind gate they split and the advantage went to Kusznierewicz/Prada, just. The Austrians responded and reclaimed their lead by the second windward mark as the two teams locked into a battle for supremacy, before their dominance became an unplanned unravel during the final two legs.
“Everyone caught us, because we made seven unnecessary tacks in the second upwind,” explained Kusznierewicz on his plummet down the leader board. “We were in second and Hans and Christian were tacking on us, so we had to tack again and tack again, and we lost 30-40 meters as I had to get away into clear wind.” Nehammer explained their downfall was down to a penalty in the final downwind, saying, “We were still leading after the second upwind, so we were fighting very close with the Danish guys at the beginning of the second downwind. We were yellow flagged and then we were in completely the wrong position of the fleet on the right side and weren’t able to recover.”
Make a mistake and you lose – just like that. The Austrian’s penalty gave an open ticket for Schönherr/Koy to head for the finish and seal their dismantling of the opposition. An impressive performance from the Danish with a steady and assured comeback through the fleet in a demonstration of technical excellence.
Reflecting on their race, Koy commented, “We had a very nice race. We started somewhere like ten at the top mark and Jørgen was sailing the boat upwind very fast and also downwind. On the downwinds there were some opportunities to catch a little bit more pressure and get the current right. Basically, from the top mark, we gained upwind and downwind.” “It’s super tough competition here, so of course it is a very high goal we have,” said Schonherr. “We will take it from here and every day is a beautiful day when you sail in Miami with Bacardi.” Last year, Schonherr was off form due to a broken foot, although they still pulled an impressive 8th place overall.
Finishing in 2nd and 3rd respectively, Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube and Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise both came through in the final downwind leg to break into the top 5 and seize strong finishes. Doyle/Infelise won the 2019 Bacardi Cup, before Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada unleashed their three back-to-back wins. A consistent performance also from Will Stout/Erik Anderson saw them in the leading pack throughout the race to finish in 4th.
Provisional Results – Top 5 after Race 1
1. Jørgen Schönherr / Markus Koy (DEN 8532) - 1 pts
2. Eivind Melleby / Mark Strube (NOR 2017) - 2 pts
3. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise (USA 8580) - 3 pts
4. Will Stout / Erik Anderson (USA 8538) - 4 pts
5. Marin Misura / Tonko Barac (CRO 8531) - 5 pts
Day Two
Racing at the 96th Bacardi Cup was abandoned today, March 7, due to an inconsistent breeze. After a postponement ashore, the Race Committee was hopeful racing would get underway, but ultimately the decision was taken to abandon racing.
“The weather forecast was for the breeze to fill in somewhere between 2 to 3 o’clock out of the south east,” explained Carl Schellbach, Principal Race Officer. “The breeze finally made it and was doing battle with what might have been the sea breeze here. However, the Race Committee didn’t think it was going to offer quality sailing until very late this afternoon and, even then, it was still in doubt. “We decided that with four days ahead of very good weather forecast there’s no reason in the world we should have a terrible race just to have a second race in two days. The risk of having a bad race was too great given the weather forecast for the rest of the week.”
Racing for the seventy-three Star teams is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, March 7, with race 2 starting one hour earlier at 1100 hours, immediately followed by race 3.
An enduring legacy
Paul Cayard is one of many renowned sailors who mark the Bacardi Cup on their calendar year after year and returns for the 96th Bacardi Cup. Cayard has enjoyed a hugely successful career, spanning Whitbread Round the World Race victory and second in the Volvo Ocean Race, seven World Championship titles, is a seven-time America’s Cup competitor, a two-time Olympian and holds plenty more to his name. However, despite forty-five years of sailing the Star and numerous Bacardi Cup appearances, Cayard has yet to add the Bacardi Cup to his illustrious trophy cabinet.
“My goal this year is the same as every year, I am here to win,” smiled Cayard. “I try to make sure I enjoy the races and the camaraderie along the way, but I am still a very competitive person. I have never won the Bacardi Cup, but I think I have been second five times! So, I would like to win. You never master the Star, you are constantly trying to find the perfect tune and that’s just for the speed of the boat. Then of course you are racing against all these other competitors, so you have the tactics and challenges with the wind as in any type of boat.”
Speaking on the enduring legacy of the Bacardi Cup, Cayard continued, “The Bacardi Cup is the iconic event in the Star Class. It has been going on for ninety-six years, which I think makes it the longest continuously sponsored event in any sport. It is really a great partnership. I am sure it will go on for ninety-six more. The conditions here in Miami are warm, sunny and nice winds for the boat, not to strong not too light. In March, it is the time of year when a lot of people from Europe and the north-east of the United States like to come down and get warmed up a little bit! The Bacardi Cup is a very popular event – it is the cornerstone of the Star Class.”
Paul Cayard introduces the U30 teams at the 96th Bacardi Cup
The Star appeals to all ages, which is easily demonstrated here at the 96th Bacardi Cup. From the most senior skipper and Star Class Commodore John Chiarella (USA), who is eighty-five, to the youngest, Julia Magdalena Mueller from Austria who celebrates turning eighteen today. We caught up with them to hear their views on why Star sailing is their boat of choice.
John Chiarella has competed at well over fifty Bacardi Cups, most probably a record by anyone’s measure, as his love affair with the Star has extended over sixty-five years. “A lot of things keep me coming back,” he said on the appeal of the Bacardi Cup. “The most important thing, which I always stress to other people involved, is the relationships that you form in the Star Class over the years. It is a very emotional thing for me, I will say that. It is special. What keeps me coming back are the people. To be honest, that’s what life is about.”
Reflecting on the changes over the decades Chiarella continued, “We have seen a lot of change, although the boats have somewhat fortunately stayed the same. We are a development class, so we do allow for certain things. We have seen a change in the rigs, the advent of hiking straps, a big change in masts and sail design.
Referring to the Bacardi Cup in Havana, Chiarella reflected, “When you look at what we sailed with in those days, some of the fittings were very primitive. What we sail today is very different. It is much easier today than it was then!” Looking to the next generation of young sailors, Chiarella added, “I think one of the things that I see are a lot of U30 sailors, which is very dear to me because that is how things are going to grow for everybody.”
John Chiarella (USA) holds the senior sailor accolade at the 96th Bacardi Cup
One of those U30 sailors is Julia Magdalena Mueller, who is competing at her first Bacardi Cup as part of the Bacardi U30 program, which provides complimentary entry and financial support. “To have fun is the main goal here,” anticipated Mueller. “But as well it is for good and competitive sailing and to have some good races. I always say, ‘go for gold’. There are a lot of good U30 sailors here and I think it will be very competitive for us all. I really appreciate all the things that Bacardi is offering here for us and I think this event will be one part in my life that I will always remember. Thank you for all the support.”
Eighteen-year old Julia Magdalena Mueller (AUT) is the youngest skipper
Day Three
Expectations for racing at 1100 hours today were swept aside as the breeze filled in later and lighter than forecast on race day 3 at the 96h Bacardi Cup. Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube played another consistent hand with finesse, scoring a 4th to edge into the series lead. An on-water postponement saw the Race Committee searching Biscayne Bay for the breeze, before selecting the southern bay area. In extremely shifty conditions racing got underway and two races took place. The Race Committee subsequently abandoned the opening race of the day, series race 2, which will be resailed on Thursday, March 9, 2023. After a long eight-hour day on the water, tonight’s mid-week Bacardi party and cocktails was a welcome unwind.
Seventy-three boats make a long start line, so no surprise it took three general recalls, then a black flag start to get race 3 away. Casualties of the UFD penalty included Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise, who plummet to 40th overall. Switzerland’s Piet Eckert/Frederico Melo led the fleet upwind in 14 knots of breeze, but were overhauled by Austria’s Hans Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer who went on to take the win. The Austrians were at their best, making up for yesterday’s 10th place finish, and will no doubt continue to nurture their winning formula.
“We did our program during starting, we were of course aware of the black flag, so it’s super dangerous. We did a really good start, conservative but good,” said Nehammer. “We were able to stay on the left side and be at the top mark second or third and we were able to get into first place.” Pushing hard behind Spitzauer/Nehammer were defending Bacardi Cup champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada in second, with Eckert/Melo going on to finish in third. Eckert/Melo, who were 2020 Star Class European Champions, were satisfied with the result, despite passing over the lead.
“Sometimes it’s hard to lose the lead,” commented Eckert. “But I think it was a great day for us. A great keeper so we are motivated for the next days. We want to stay in contention, not make mistakes or less mistakes than the others and then we will see and count the points in the end.”
Defending Bacardi Cup Champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada
Bacardi Cup leaders Melleby/Strube have previously raced together, but it has been a while as Melleby explained, “We kind of figure it out together, but there is always a little bit of practice so we can still up our game a little bit. Hopefully we can do that over the next three days, so it will be exciting. We had solid races so far, the boat is working very well, so a shout out to Austin Sperry for letting us use the boat.” Just three points behind are Kusznierewicz/Prada, with overnight leaders Jørgen Schönherr/ Markus Koy in third after their 10th place result, and on tiebreak with Spitzauer/Nehammer in fourth.
Provisional Results – Top 5 after two races
1. Eivind Melleby / Mark Strube (NOR 2017) - 6 pts
2. Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Bruno Prada (POL 8548) - 9 pts
3. Jørgen Schönherr / Markus Koy (DEN 8532) - 11 pts
4. Hans Spitzauer / Christian Nehammer (AUT 8529) - 11 pts
5. Marin Misura / Tonko Barac (CRO 8531) - 16 pts
Day Four
A stunning fleet of boats were out on Biscayne Bay as the 96th Bacardi Cup entered its fourth day. Racing doesn't get better than this, with the perfect Miami weather delivering 12-15 knots of breeze, challenging shifts and pressure, with the early cloud cover giving way to sunshine. After racing, it was time to soak up the atmosphere shoreside accompanied by Bacardi's renowned hospitality. Defending Bacardi Cup champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada move into the lead.
Two general recalls for the Star as the fleet re-contested yesterday's abandoned race 2. A five-leg race in 12 knots of breeze tested teams' endurance and displayed their vast sailing prowess. Never underestimating the fleet quality, five of the boats inside the race top ten carried the gold Star mainsail logo awarded to World Champions.
Yet again Piet Eckert/Frederico Melo led the fleet to the first mark, before 2019 Bacardi Cup champions Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise dismantled the opposition to take the lead and the win after a battle in the second upwind. They were at their best and making up for yesterday's BFD error. However, their scorecard won't be realized on the leader board until the discard kicks in after race 5. They currently sit in 25th from scores of 3,1, 74 (BFD). "It was a little tough to take yesterday, it got us a little fired up," reflected Doyle on their penalty score. "It was good motivation to get us back in the regatta."
Speaking on today's win, he continued, "We are happy when it is windy and shifty is pretty nice too. It is anybody's game then. But if you are feeling confident and feeling good you can tack on the shifts, try and surf a little downwind and be a little bold at times, which we like." Team work is key said Infelise, "We work well, our communication in the boat is really good, so we know what moves are coming at what time. We are very happy with it."
In reference to the BFD penalty, Doyle added, "We can't make any mistakes now. There are so many good guys, we have got to go for it. It has put us in a little bit of a corner. We have got to have some bold races if we want to win the regatta. That is what we are here for, and it is going to be fun."
Defending Champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada finished in third and gear up to top the leader board, with overnight leaders Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube finishing two places behind and now second overall. Regulars on the Star stage, Ireland's Peter O'Leary/Stephen Milne finished in 2nd place and move up to 6th overall.
Provisional Results: (top five, 3 races)
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada (POL) - 12 pts
2. Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube (NOR) - 14 pts
3. Hans Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer (AUT) - 18 pts
4. Piet Eckert/Frederico Melo (SUI) - 22 pts
5. Leandro Altolaguirre/Lucas Altolaguirre (ARG) - 22 pts
Day Five
Another massive day of energy and perfect sailing on a sunny Biscayne Bay for teams racing at the 96th Bacardi Cup. The usual shifty breeze was around 10-12 knots from the south east, with plenty of race track nuances. A game changer of a day for some and still a mountain to climb for others as tomorrow, Saturday, March 11, marks the final fight for the podium. Who will be brave enough to take the risks where required?
The all-important discard came into play in race 5 for the seventy-three boat Star fleet and what a shake-up with the Irish pair of Peter O’Leary/Stephen Milne now topping the leader board. The tightness of racing indicates nothing is out of reach, and it is going to be a battle of titans in Saturday’s concluding race. Peter O’Leary/Stephen Milne claim the overall lead on day 5 at the 96th Bacardi Cup.
Another long day on the water for the Stars, with two races proving a match for everyone. It was all about consistent performances and Ireland’s Peter O’Leary/Stephen Milne had plenty of that. They combined team wisdom and playing off the cuff to deliver a phenomenal all-round performance, scoring 1,4 to move into the overall lead. Whilst O’Leary has competed at the Bacardi Cup in recent years, as a team the last time they raced in Miami together was thirteen years ago. “We just tried to keep it simple and get out of the start, not be dictated to by other boats in the first few minutes,” commented O’Leary. “Steve hiking hard out of the start and head out of the boat downwind, especially in lanes of pressure. It was hard today, trying to keep some decent fellas behind you! We will try and to it all again tomorrow.”
Defending champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada secured a 2, followed by a 21 in the day’s second race, which is discarded to position them 2 points behind the Irish. A helter-skelter of results too for Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube, whose 16,1 scored card places them in third. Yesterday’s race winners, Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise now have their BFD discarded and advance up to 5th overall.
With just 17 points separating them, theoretically the chase for top spot remains in the hands of any of the top eight teams who could still lay claim to the 96th Bacardi Cup. That’s seven out of the nineteen nations represented in the Star fleet here in Miami in the running. The opportunity extends further to the top nine who could claim 2nd or 3rd. O’Leary has come super close to the Bacardi Cup trophies before, finishing in second place three times. Looking ahead to their game plan for the final race, he continued, “Just stay out of trouble, be clean, you know there’s lots of good guys here. It would be nice to try and finally get it across the line.”
Provisional Results – Top 5 after Race 5
1. Peter O'Leary/Stephen Milne (IRL) - 12 pts
2. Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada (POL) - 14 pts
3. Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube (NOR) - 15 pts
4. Piet Eckert/Frederico Melo (SUI) - 20 pts
5. Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise (USA) - 22 pts
Day Six
They came, they saw, they conquered in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and this year Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada did it again. They have well and truly sealed their place in the Bacardi Cup book of legends with four back-to-back victories. Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada make history by winning their fourth successive Bacardi Cup.
“As a Bacardi family member, I am extremely proud of where we are with the Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Invitational Regatta,” said Eddie Cutillas, Bacardi USA. “We have had an outstanding event with a record line-up of entries and teams from twenty-seven nations. I could not be prouder of the effort we have put in to get this regatta to where it is.”
It all came down to the final race in the battle for the 96th Bacardi Cup, with eight teams theoretically in the running for the trophies. After two general recalls, the elite of Star sailing embarked on a 5-leg race. Hans Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer led to the first mark, but with series frontrunners close behind they were off podium contention. Kusznierewicz/Prada thought they had a disadvantage by choosing the left side, but it played out well as they rounded in third.
From early, it was evident that huge disappointment was on the cards for Peter O'Leary/Stephen Milne, who led going into the final day. After finishing the Bacardi Cup in 2nd place three times, they dreamed 2023 would be their year. They started on the right side of the course but couldn’t execute their plan and slowly slipped through the pack to finish in 20th and end their Bacardi Cup in fourth overall. Kusznierewicz/Prada reeled in Spitzauer/Nehammer to go for the win. Rounding the final upwind mark, they had a 30 second advantage, extending even further to the leeward mark. The other teams could only battle it out for second and third..jpg)
Their passion for a perfect mission was precisely executed, and by the finish Kusznierewicz/Prada secured over a one-minute lead to win the 96th Bacardi Cup. The duo made history last year as the first ever same-crew team to win three consecutive times and are now back in the history books with their fourth successive win. No skipper or crew has ever achieved that. “Sometimes I am thinking how much longer we can go,” grinned Kusznierewicz. “But I must say at the beginning it is a great fun, pleasure but also an honour to sail with Bruno. Unbelievable how I enjoy the week spent together. Thanks Bruno.”
“The week was a tough one. Mateusz started the week a little bit sick, we had the ‘old man’s funeral,” said Prada, in reference to the passing of Gonzalo Diaz, a renowned sailing personality and father of Augie Diaz. “It was tough to have our minds focused on the regatta, but we were able to manage all these outside odds and still we are super happy.”
“It was the toughest win out of the four,” continued Kusznierewicz. “The level of the competition was very high, and the five top teams were sailing just brilliantly. They played strategy and tactics very well. This time we had to fight to the end, but I like it.” Whilst appreciating their momentous achievement, Prada had another motivation to win, rivalry with an old friend, saying, “For me the only important thing is to be ahead of the best crew in the world, that’s Frithjof. Once I am ahead of him, I am happy! I am not worried about records, if I am ahead of the best.”
“I know that he really likes the winning,” chipped in Kusznierewicz. “The race when we finished 21, Bruno was so angry. He is addicted to winning. I say, ‘let’s have some fun’, and he says, ‘you know how I spell fun, W-I-N’! This is good, this is what I like, because we are athletes. We really enjoy sailing and competition.” They have already confirmed they will return in 2024, with Kusznierewicz affirming, “Once you have Bacardi, you want to have it more.”
A meticulous performance from Kusznierewicz/Prada who celebrated their remarkable achievement by sipping Bacardi rum from the iconic Bacardi Cup and Tito Bacardi Cup trophies at the prize giving to huge applause. In paying tribute, Eddie Cutillas said, “Last year, you made history as the first same team crew to ever achieve three back-to-back wins. Whilst there had been skippers who had won three times in a row and crew who had won three times in a row, never had the same skipper and crew won three times in a row.”
“This year, you go one better and become the first skipper or crew to ever win four times in a row in the ninety-six-year history of the Bacardi Cup. Simply phenomenal. I don’t want to predict the future of the Bacardi Cup, but it is going to be a long time before anyone will ever have a chance at breaking your record,” Cutillas concluded. As custodians of the Bacardi Cup for four years, the legacy secured by Kusznierewicz/Prada will be hard to beat. However, the quest for dominance and ambition to be part of the rich heritage of the Bacardi Cup will continue. A sixth-place finish for Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube upgraded them to second overall, and Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise crossed the line in 3rd to leapfrog from leader board fifth to third..jpg)
Final Results – Top 3
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada (POL) - 15 pts
2. Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube (NOR) - 21 pts
3. Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise (USA) - 26 pts
Prizes were presented to the top five and to winners in the age divisions:
U30 (skipper under 30) - Matthew Rajacich/Eric Wagner
Master (skippers aged 50 through 59) - Eivind Melleby/Mark Strube
Grand Master (skippers aged 60+) - Paul Cayard/Frithjof Kleen
Exalted Grand Master (skippers aged 70+) - Larry Whipple/Killian Weise
Results
