Peter Wright had not yet turned 21 when he claimed his first Bacardi Cup in 1975, sailing alongside his father on Biscayne Bay. Fifty years on, he has entered the 100th edition of the same regatta, a fact that speaks to this event's enduring hold on those who have competed in it.
Sailing competitions that carry genuine meaning across generations are rare. The Bacardi Cup, first contested in 1927, belongs to that small group. Its centennial edition is scheduled for 7 to 13 March 2027, and when registration opened last week, 140 teams had committed within the first 24 hours.
The names already on the entry list amount to a compressed history of the Star Class. Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada, winners of six consecutive editions of the event, have signed up. Reigning champions Paul Cayard and Frithjof Kleen are entered, as are 2018 title holders Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi. Wright, a three-time winner, rounds out a field that reflects the full breadth of the class's competitive ambition.
Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA pointed to that opening surge as evidence of the regatta's singular character. "For 100 years, this event has brought together competition, friendship, and celebration in a way that is truly unique," he said. "Seeing 140 teams commit within the first 24 hours shows just how special this centennial edition will be."
Racing will be held on Biscayne Bay, with five Miami yacht clubs sharing the hosting responsibilities. Those clubs contribute not only the organisational backbone but also the hospitality that has long been considered as central to the Bacardi Cup's identity as the racing itself.
Event Director Sara Zanobini framed the early rush of entries as a reflection of what the regatta means beyond any single year's results. "Past champions, sailing legends, longtime competitors, and newcomers all coming together to be part of this historic celebration," she said.
With eight months of registration still ahead, the final field is certain to grow considerably.
