Karrie Claims First Bacardi Invitational Victory, Dyvi Captures Corinthian Title
March 8, 2025 - Miami, FL, USA - On a day where every gust mattered and every tack counted, Biscayne Bay transformed the light-air finale into a masterclass of precision and teamwork. With the 6-10 knot breeze whispering across the water, the fleet faced postponements and shifting conditions, turning the racecourse into a stage for tactical brilliance.
The 98th Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta made history, with a record-breaking entry uniting over 600 sailors across 200 teams to compete for some of sailing’s most coveted titles. The event concluded in style with a spectacular prize-giving at Shake a Leg Miami, followed by the legendary Bacardi after-party.
The sense of being part of something special is palpable, as this jewel in the sailing calendar draws teams back year after year with its unique blend of world-class racing and unforgettable camaraderie. Save the date and come sail with us from March 1-7, 2026.
After three final races on Saturday, Peter Karrie, at the helm of Nefeli delivered a consistent 5-2-[12] scoreline, securing his first-ever win at the Bacardi Invitational Regatta in Miami. His crew—tactician Niccolò Bianchi, along with Alessandro Franci, Alessandro Saettone, and Saverio Cigliano—clinched victory at the second Winter Series event last January, proving they are a team on the rise. With this weekend’s triumph, Karrie has firmly established himself as a formidable force in the Melges 24 Class.
Finishing second overall was fleet newcomer Vladimir Prosikhin, racing his renowned Nika 860 team — Nic Asher-tactician, Mikaela Wolf, Michele Gregoratto and Giorgio Tortarolo.
In third, 2024 Melges 24 U.S. National Champion, Geoff Fargo racing Sentinel completed the podium with Jackson Benvenutti as tactician with help from Alec Anderson, Haydon Stapleton and Patrick Wilson.
2025 Winter Series Champion Cuyler Morris and his Dark Horse team, featuring tactician Manu Weiller, Elizabeth Whitner, Keiran Searle, and Dean Curtis placed fourth.
Rounding out the top five was IM24CA Chair Laura Grondin on Dark Energy, sailing with SailGP USA’s Taylor Canfield as tactician and crew members Charlie Smythe, Ian Liberty and Nick Ford.
As always, competition in the Corinthian Division was fierce from start to finish. Norwegian skipper Jan Fredrik Dyvi and his Team RRH took the win with a steady performance, sailing with Malin Rorvik, Jan Boro, Øyvind Peder Jahre, and Stian Ness Rorvik.
Challenging them for the trophy was multi-time Corinthian Champion Dan Berezin on Surprise, who finished second overall with his son Michael and teammates Misha Mayevsky, Denys Kalchenko, and Alex Kapustin. Finishing out the top three was PUR 829 Smile and Wave, helmed by Jaime Torres and crewed by fellow Melges 24 owner Cody Hall, Neil Battrum, Payton Weaver, and Pablo Mendez.
MORRIS & TORRES CLAIM 2025 BACARDI WINTER SERIES TROPHIES & TITLES
Congratulations to Cuyler Morris and his Dark Horse team, as they are overall 2025 Bacardi Winter Series Champions. Morris fended off tough competition throughout the season such as Bacardi Invitational winner Karrie (2nd) and Canada’s Richard Reid (3rd) on Zingara, cementing his name in the Melges 24 Class history books.
For Jaime Torres, claiming the 2025 Bacardi Winter Series Corinthian Champion title is a hard-earned and well-deserved victory. A newcomer to the Melges 24 Class just last year, Torres and his team have consistently given 110% at each event—proof that dedication leads to success.
Longtime Melges 24 Class veteran Stuart Simpson and his British-Irish blended Team Barbarians finished second overall, with Berezin on Surprise securing third place for the season.
A total of 24 Melges 24s competed in the 2024-2025 Bacardi Winter Series.
Photo gallery © Marina Semenova
Full Results (Bacardi Invitational Regatta)
Full Results Winter Series Results (Final, After Three Races)