Welcome to the 2018 BACARDI CUP

The Bacardi Cup is a cherished tradition that in 2018 will celebrates its 91st birthday, and for 56 straight years has called the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay home. Started as a regatta for Star boats in Havana, Cuba in 1927, the Bacardi Cup has continued to evolve and change with the times, giving it continued growth and popularity in a sport that has seen numerous regattas come and go.

In 1962 the series moved to Biscayne Bay and in 2010 the event expanded to include other classes in addition to the Stars. Recent classes have included J70’s, J80’s, Vipers, VX One’s, VX Evo’s, Flying Tigers, Melges 20’s, Melges 24’s, A Cats and M32’s.

For 2018, the organizing committee has decided to refocus the series on the original idea of an invitation-only regatta where the best small-boat sailors in the world come together to compete in tight, competitive, thrilling racing with the emphasis on quality instead of quantity. Still sponsored by the venerable Bacardi Rum brand and the Bacardi family, who have been active patrons since the beginning, the series in 2018 will be called The Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta.

The Star class as always will have a single race per day on long, demanding legs rarely seen in today’s short course era. Only one other one-design class has been invited to the regatta in 2018: the J70 class, the fastest-growing one-design fleet in the world.

As always, days on the water will be followed by hospitality and outdoor parties that only Bacardi can deliver, with great food, tropical music and an open bar with plenty of Bacardi rum.

The organizing committee wants to thank the prestigious Coral Reef Yacht Club and Biscayne Bay Yacht Club for supporting the event.

The event is dedicated to Tito Bacardi and his memory will be honored in several ways by the participants, the sailing community and the Bacardi family.