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Eastward Migration for Winter Racing

Although the California climate offers plenty of opportunities for winter sailing, many West Coast cruisers flee south to the warmer environs of Mexico and beyond. Another option is to head east. Some Left Coast racers are doing just that.

After a successful debut, the second edition of the Bacardi Winter Series features two events in Miami for the Melges 24 and J/70 fleets with more than 40 teams set for the opener this weekend. The Bacardi Winter Series kicks off on December 14-15 at Shake-A-Leg Miami. The next face-off will unfold on January 25-26 at Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.

J/70s in Miami
J/70s on parade toward the Miami skyline.
© 2019 Bacardi Invitational Winter Series

“In its second year, the Bacardi Winter Series is already established as must-do events for the Melges 24 and J/70 fleets,” commented Sara Zanobini, director of the series. “This series was launched in response to sailors wanting more winter racing in Miami and has plugged a gap in the market.”

Favorites in the Melges 24 fleet are Bruce Ayers and his team on Monsoon, who will hunt a repeat of last year’s win. The talented Newport Harbor Yacht Club sailors won both winter series events in the debut year, then added the 2019 Melges 24 World Championship silver medal to their awards shelf. Seattle’s Michael Goldfarb and his team on Warcanoe finished fourth at the Melges 24 Worlds. He’ll switch from racing a J/70 in last year’s series. The 2018 National champion Kevin Welch and Mikey will make the migration from Anacortes, WA.

Monsoon, Melges 24
A Monsoon will descend upon Florida this weekend.
© 2019 Bacardi Invitational Winter Series

Carrying on the Melges family name is Harry Melges IV, grandson of Buddy Melges. Harry heads to Miami fresh from the 49er Oceania Championship and 49er Worlds in New Zealand. One Canadian and one German team will add international flair to the fleet.

Last year, Geoffrey Pierini and his team on #49 won the opening J/70 event of the Bacardi Winter Series. They will be up against some impressive opponents this year, including Joel Ronning and his team on Catapult, who won event 2 of last year’s Winter Series and claimed the J/70 World Championships silver medal three months ago. West Coast teams in the J/70 class include Jeff Janov and Dave Ullman on Minor Threat, from Malibu. Peter Vesella’s Running Wild and Ryan McKillen’s Surge will sail for St. Francis YC.

“Miami is the perfect playground for winter racing. A strong lineup of well-known stars and Corinthian sailors will face off in the six races this weekend,” said Mark Pincus. The race committee chair added: “Our race management team is super-excited for the weekend ahead.”

Bacardi Happy Hour cocktails and shoreside hospitality will follow the racing.

After the Bacardi Winter Series, the Melges 24 and J/70 teams will be invited to return to Miami and join the Viper 640 and Star Boat sailors for the Bacardi Invitational Regatta and the 93rd Bacardi Cup on March 1-7.

Although the Invitational is still almost three months away, 76 entries have already signed up. Additional West Coasters registered include Bruce Golison’s J/70 Midlife Crisis from Long Beach/SDYC and Duane Yoslov’s San Francisco YC-based Melges 24 Looper. You may recall that Looper is the reigning West Coast champion. Star skippers include Paul Cayard and Doug Smith from San Francisco, Eric Doyle from San Diego, Scott Barnard from Newport Beach, and David Branch from St. Helens, OR. Geoff Fargo’s Santa Barbara-based Boomslang will join the pit of Vipers.

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