Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta - Bora Gulari Takes An Early Lead
March 5, 2020 - Miami, FL, USA - Melges 24 class had their first racing day at the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta on Thursday 5 March. The blend of sailors battling it out for glory on Biscayne Bay is phenomenal, with a mix of professional rock stars and super-talented Corinthian teams.
For 2020, the Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Invitational Regatta have welcomed a record-breaking 175 entries and well over 500 sailors representing 19 nations, proving its status as the sport's most popular Spring regatta. Racing is across four course areas, with the Star Class on a dedicated track and course sharing for the Melges 24 and J70, Viper 640 and VX One and AV8 with the Windfoil.
Out on the track first were the Melges 24 and J70 who raced in the south of the bay, starting out in a fluky 5-6 knots before the breeze steadied to 9-10 knots.
Three races in the Melges 24 saw the big hitters out front early on, with Bora Gulari and his team of Kyle Navin/Norman Berg/Ian Liberty and match racing superstar Taylor Canfield setting the pace to secure two wins and a second place to lead overall. They know what it takes to win, having wrapped up victory in one of the Bacardi Winter Series warm-up events in January 2020. Just 2 points behind are KC Shannon/Jackson Benvenutti/Ben Lynchi/Tom Sawchuk/Elizabeth Whitener on Shaka, with Peter Duncan/ Victor Diaz de Leon/Mattero Ramian/Carlos Robles/Willem Van Waay on Raza Mixta in third. Duncan and crew race in Miami fresh from their Melges 24 victory at last month's 2020 NOOD Regatta where they nailed an all-win scorecard.
In Corinthian division Norwegian Team SEBAGO of Jan Frederik Dyvi with Herman Horn-Johannessen is first, 3 1/2 Men of Steve Suddath (USA) in second and Decorum of Megan and Hunter Ratliff (USA) on third.
Racing continues on Friday 6 March, with one race for the Star Classes and three to four races for all other fleets.
Top 5 of Melges 24 (One Design - 28 Boats)
1. USA 820, USA820, Bora Gulari / Kyle Navin / Norman Berg / ian Liberty / Taylor Canfield - 1 -1 -2 ; 4
2. Shaka, USA801, KC Shannon / Jackson Benvenutti / Ben Lynchi / Tom Sawchuk / Elizabeth Whitener - 2 -3 -1 ; 6
3. Raza Mixta, USA829, Peter Duncan / Victor Diaz de Leon / Mattero Ramian / Carlos Robles / Willem Van Waay - 5 -4 -6 ; 15
4. Zenda Express, USA863, Harry Melges IV / Eddie Cox / Judge Ryan / Finn Rowe / Ripley Shelly - 4 -11 -5 ; 20
5. Warcanoe, USA825, Michael Goldfarb / David brink / Emory Williams / Jonny Goldsberry / Michael Menninger - 14 -5 -3 ; 22
2020 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta - Bora Gulari sailing with Kyle Navin, Norman Berg, Ian Liberty, and Taylor Canfield
