2024 Bacardi Cup
Preview article - The 97th Bacardi Cup
If you are ready for six days of unparalleled Star Class racing and seven nights of revelry - you are ready for The Bacardi Cup. Dating back to 1927, The Bacardi Cup is one of the world's most venerable sailing events. The 97th edition promises a great battle ahead for the seventy-two teams representing seventeen nations. Racing gets under way at 12:00 hours on March 4th, featuring a daily long-distance race throughout the six-day series.
Since 1927, forty-five different teams having claimed Bacardi Cup glory. Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada have most recently dominated Biscayne Bay, making history with four back-to-back wins since 2020. The partnership is targeting another title defense.
There are plenty of other title contenders poised to make 2024 their year and former winners aiming to reclaim the coveted title. Mark Strube, who finished 2nd in 2023, joins forces with helm Josh Powell. Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise, who secured third last year, return with aspirations to clinch the trophy they last won in 2019, before the Kusznierewicz/Prada dominance got under way. Also racing up front will be Ireland's Peter O'Leary/Stephen Milne, who are consistently formidable and led the fleet mid-regatta last year before finishing 4th overall. Switzerland's Piet Eckert/Frederico Melo team bring their well-seasoned prowess to the fleet, with impressive recent finishes including 2nd at the 2023 Star Worlds and 5th in Miami last year. Former Bacardi Cup Champions Diego Negri/Sergio Lambertenghi from Italy, along with reigning Star European Champions Jack Jennings/Pedro Trouche from the USA are regularly super consistent. Denmark's Jørgen Schönherr/Markus Koy, and Croatia's Marin Misura/Tonko Barac have plenty of pedigree and can also expect to be amongst the contenders for podium honors. These and plenty of other big names will all be in the mix.
In 2023, Bacardi expanded its commitment to nurture the future of Star Class sailing with The Bacardi Cup U30 Program. For this year's event, ten teams have received complimentary event entry and financial assistance to help offset event expenses. The highest-performing U30 team will also receive support from Bacardi to compete at the 2024 Star Worlds. This initiative operates in partnership with the Star Class and their Star Education and Access (SEA) program, which facilitates access to boats for sailors to familiarize themselves with and gain opportunities to race the Star.
Final Report
The climax of the 97th Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Invitational Regatta was a day of anticipation and pressure. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the boat park on the morning of the final day belied the intensity about to unfold racing against many of the best sailors in the world.
All eyes were riveted on the three-way tie-break to determine the winners of the 97th Bacardi Cup. Biscayne Bay set the stage for a spectacular finale, kicking off with a building 12 knots breeze and waves. With unwavering focus, Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada controlled the fleet from start to finish, clinching an unprecedented fifth consecutive victory and once again forced the chasing fleet to walk in their shadow.
Eddie Cutillas, Bacardi USA, praised all involved, saying, “It was a tremendous week. The Bacardi Cup and the Bacardi Invitational is a feeling like family. Bacardi is all about family and heritage, and we feel that this fits in perfectly with our mission at this regatta. Six days of world class racing meld seamlessly into shoreside friendship and fun. Thanks to each and every one of you for being part of our unique annual sailing celebration.”
In a fleet brimming with former Bacardi Cup winners and Star World Champions, maintaining consistency across six races to seize the 97th Bacardi Cup title was never going to be easy. After five races, Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada, Augie Diaz/Henry Boening and Doyle/Payson Infelise had elevated themselves into a class of their own, setting the stage for a three-way tiebreak showdown in the decisive race 6. The showdown however never materialized, as Kusznierewicz/Prada took control from the start and never looked back.
The three teams all fielded strong starts separated along the starting line, with Doyle/Infelise to the right, Kusznierewicz/Prada in the middle and Diaz/Boening on the left. Doyle/Infelise continued up the right side, while Kusznierewicz/Prada went left. By the first mark, Kusznierewicz/Prada had secured a big jump on the fleet, leaving the other two teams back in 6th and 8th.
On the first downwind, Doyle/Infelise made inroads and geared up to second. They split through the gate and back upwind, where Kusznierewicz/Prada shook off their assault. Focusing on their own race, they accelerated away in stunning style to hold firm and take the win. Diaz/Boening crossed the line in 4th and Doyle/Infelise in 5th, securing second and third overall. Following tradition, Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi was at the finish line to congratulate the winners of the 97th Bacardi Cup.
A meticulous performance from Kusznierewicz/Prada ensured they remained strong in the decisive moment. They have forged a genius and formidable team to remain as custodians of the Bacardi Cup Trophy and Tito Bacardi Cup for five successive years – in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The duo first made history in 2024, as the only same-crew team to win four consecutive times and now return to the history books.
“We knew it was going to be tight racing as they are superfast, very smart, experienced sailors and we knew that we had to deliver everything,” commented Kusznierewicz. “It’s a fantastic feeling. I wish to everyone to win Bacardi Cup! It is a legendary regatta and to be part of it and making history it is special.”
Kusznierewicz attributed victory to their process, saying, “From the beginning we trust in our process. If you know how to set up the boat, if you know what to do before the race, when you know how to make decisions where to start, how to start, what to avoid, how to sail, the results will come and here we go. We’ve got it.”
“Five times in row is really out of the box in terms of the Star Class,” said Prada, who won his first Bacardi Cup in 2020 after fifteen years of trying. “It is a really tough class to win. Five in a row never happened before so it is some historical moment and we need to enjoy it. I am super proud to win five Bacardi’s, five Worlds and be a little part of the Star Class history.” Kusznierewicz/Prada celebrated their remarkable achievement by sipping Bacardi rum from the iconic Bacardi Cup Trophy and Tito Bacardi Cup at the prize giving to huge applause.
There is plenty of potential in the Star fleet, with thirteen U30 teams competing. As the top placed U30 team in 20th overall, Facundo Olezza/Ricardo Vadia will be supported by Bacardi to compete at the Star Class Worlds in San Diego, USA from September 4-13, 2024.
Final Top 3
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Bruno Prada (POL 8559) - 14 pts
2. Augie Diaz / Henry Boening (USA 8509) - 17 pts
3. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise (USA 8580) - 18 pts
Prizes were also presented to the age division winners:
U30 (skipper under 30) - Facundo Olezza / Ricardo Vadia
Master (skippers aged 50 through 59) - Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise
Grand Master (skippers aged 60+) - Augie Diaz / Henry Boening
Exalted Grand Master (skippers aged 70+) - John Dane III / Dave Martin
Results
