FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  

 Friday,  2nd  March  2018  

 2018  BACARDI  CUP  INVITATIONAL  REGATTA  SETS  EVENT  

BENCHMARK  ON  WATER  AND  ASHORE    

With  just  two  days  to  go  until  the  2018  Bacardi  Cup  Invitational  Regatta,  the  week  promises  to  be  special,  combining  outstanding  racing  on  the  stunning  waters  of  Biscayne  Bay,  Miami  

alongside  a  packed  shore  side  social  programme.  

 

 For  2018,  the  Bacardi  Cup  organizing  committee  has  refocused  the  series  on  the  original  idea  of  an  invitation-­‐only  regatta.  Featuring  the  best  small-­‐boat  sailors  in  the  world,  the  Bacardi  Cup  is  synonymous  with  innovative  competition;  guaranteeing  the  highest  level  of  racing  over  six  full  days  with  an  emphasis  on  quality  instead  of  quantity.      Celebrating  over  nine  decades  of  competition,  the  91st  Bacardi  Cup  continues  to  attract  the  legends  of  sailing  in  the  Star  Class  and  J/70  fleets.  Whilst  paying  tribute  to  those  who  have  made  history  over  the  years,  the  Bacardi  Cup  also  looks  to  the  future  with  an  influx  of  younger  teams  in  the  entry  line-­‐up  and  ready  to  meet  the  challenge  laid  down  by  the  rock  stars  of  sailing.  Competing  at  the  Bacardi  Cup  is  an  achievement  itself.      Racing  from  the  Coral  Reef  Yacht  Club  on  Biscayne  Bay  is  truly  memorable,  with  

sun-­‐kissed  turquoise  waters,  a  laid  back  fun  vibe,  warm  sunshine  and  water,  delivering  great  racing  conditions  set  against  the  impressive  backdrop  of  Miami.  The  cream  of  world  sailing  talent  will  be  looking  to  maximise  their  performance  across  the  6  races  for  the  Star  fleet  and  9  races  for  the  J/70  fleet,  and  it  will  take  consistency  and  attention  to  detail  to  be  rewarded  with  front  of  fleet  scores.  Racing  will  be  super  close  and  super  serious,  with  tactics  crucial  to  take  advantage  of  the  nuances  of  Biscayne  Bay  as  the  race  tracks  test  the  best  with  unpredictable  breeze  changes. A  powerhouse  of  USA  Star  sailors  make  up  the  majority  of  the  Star  Class  fleet,  who  are  joined  by  foreign  teams  from  sixteen  nations.  Too  close  to  call  any  podium  picks  yet,  but  of  the  almost  80-­‐strong  fleet,  current  ace  partnerships  are  reigning  Star  World  Champions  Eivind  Melleby/Joshua  Revkin  (NOR)  and  runners  up  Lars  Grael/Samuel  Goncalves  (BRA).  Amongst  the  talented  teams  they  will  face  are  two  skippers  who  were  the  last  to  claim  Olympic  medals  in  the  Star  Class,  Iain  Percy  (GBR)  who  secured  silver  and  Robert  Scheidt  (BRA)  the  bronze;  and  from  this  pair’s  recent  meets,  it  is  Percy  who  holds  the  upper  hand.      The  J/70  has  been  turning  heads  since  the  first  boat  came  off  the  production  line  in  2012  and  is  the  fastest  growing  one-­‐design  in  the  world.  The  preliminary  entry  list  of  almost  fifty  teams  from  eight  nations  presents  a  tough  prediction  as  to  who  will  rise  to  victory.  Assured  is  the  battle  set  to  unfold  between  two  sailors  who  last  year  claimed  the  J/70  World  Championship  title,  Peter  Duncan  (USA)  and  Jud  Smith  (USA),  as  they  now  test  each  other  across  the  starting  line  in  separate  teams.    Sponsored  by  the  venerable  Bacardi  Rum  brand  and  the  Bacardi  family,  who  have  been  active  patrons  since  the  inaugural  Bacardi  Cup  was  presented  in  1927,  Bacardi  carries  with  it  a  family  spirit  that  transfers  to  the  sport  of  sailing.  Teams  are  fierce  rivals  on  the  water,  but  the  greatest  of  friends  ashore,  helped  along  by  the  renowned  Bacardi  after  parties.

   The  social  spirit  will  be  boosted  by  a  packed  programme  of  social  events  kicking  off  with  the  launch  party  at  the  Bacardi  Cup  Welcome  Cocktail  hosted  by  Coral  Reef  Yacht  Club  on  Sunday  March  4th.  Each  night  Bacardi  will  host  its  esteemed  parties  at  venues  including  Biscayne  Bay  Yacht  Club  and  Shake  a  Leg  Miami.      The  Bacardi  brand  represents  a  tradition  of  excellence,  a  value  which  plays  out  across  all  aspects  of  the  2018  Bacardi  Cup  Invitational  Regatta.  The  driving  passion  of  the  organizing  committee  behind  the  Bacardi  Cup  is  simple  –  to  run  an  exceptional  event  that  attracts  teams  to  return  year  after  year,  as  well  as  welcoming  a  host  of  newcomers.  Excellence  on  the  water  will  be  ensured  by  the  Race  Management  team  who  are  amongst  the  world’s  best,  delivering  racing  at  the  highest  level.    A  special  thank  you  to  this  year’s  event  sponsors  and  supporters:  North  Sails,  Coral  Reef  Sailing  Apparel,  Hatuey,  S.Pellegrino,  Gubinelli,  Tuuci,  Nautical  Channel,  Sun  Orchard,  Regatta  Gingerbeer,  Ocean  Navigator,  Jaguar  therapeutics,  Coco  Walk  and  the  City  of  Coconut  Grove.    A  full  media  package  will  detail  racing  and  shore-­‐side  activities  for  both  competitors  and  sailing  fans,  and  will  include  daily  video  highlights,  social  media,  worldwide  news  distribution,  as  well  as  keeping  racing  enthusiasts  and  media  apprised  with  daily  race  reports  and  photo  galleries.    For  more  information:  bacardiinvitational.com        Full  results  available  at  https://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4517  Photos  and  videos  available  at  http://bacardiinvitational.com/press/  Password:  PRESS1      Text  Credits:  ICARUS  Sports  Photo  Credits:  Marco  Oquendo  /  Gilles  Morelle  

 

Notes to Editors About Bacardi Bacardi is the largest privately held spirits company in the world, producing and marketing internationally recognized spirits and wines. The company boasts an impressive portfolio of more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ rum, the world’s best-selling and most-awarded rum; GREY GOOSE vodka, the world’s leading super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most awarded blended Scotch; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila and many more. Founded more than 155 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi employs nearly 6,000 people, manufactures its brands at 29 facilities and sells in more than 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. About North Sails North Sails is a unique sailmaker, built on a champion spirit. Founded in 1957 by Lowell North who applied an engineer’s logic to a traditional craft, North Sails transformed the industry and has become the world leader in sailmaking technology. North Sails is the largest division of North Technology Group and the brand’s history of innovation and winning has continued to produce generations of product breakthroughs and champions. In 2014, the brand expanded their profile to include North Sails Apparel, a lifestyle collection that brings the sailmaker’s love of design and technology into fashion. The apparel collections continually develop element-defying materials that allow users to navigate the sea and modern life. About ICARUS Sports ICARUS Sports is a leading Sports Media company, with an extensive portfolio covering more than eighty events worldwide per year, while at the same time producing own documentary series of programmes. As the world's leading sailing and extreme sports content producer and provider, ICARUS Sports distributes content to a vast network of broadcasters and online media, which extends to more than 160 countries, and a total cumulative annual TV broadcast of more than 30,000 hours worldwide.  

LIVE  PASSIONATELY.  DRINK  RESPONSIBLY.  BACARDÍ,  its  label,  its  bottle  design  and  the  Bat  Device  are  trademarks  and/or  registered  trademarks  of  Bacardi  &  Company  Limited.  ©  2018,  ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED.