Just a quick update to remind all of our friends and Sailors that registration for the Bacardi Miami Sailing Week is open and entries are pouring in! Stars and Melges 20 are in the lead followed by Vipers, Melges 24 and J/80. Don't loose the opportunity of registering your boat at the discounted fee.February 6th is only a few weeks away so don't wait any longer.

Click here to register.

ARGAMASILLA BACARDI, JOSE E. TITO, 67, native of Cuba, passed away in Miami, Florida on October 18, 2011, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Santiago de Cuba in 1944, Tito was asked to join Bacardi Imports in 1969 by Pepin Bosch. His career with the company started in the marketing department as the Manager Special Events and Public Relations. Over the next 40 years, Tito was promoted to Director - Special Events; Assistant Vice President - Public Relations & Director of Bacardi Museum and then Vice President - Public Relations in 2002. During his tenure at the company, Tito founded the Bacardi Museum at 2100 Biscayne Boulevard, which has evolved into today's very substantial company archive. Tito will also be fondly remembered for his role as the animated host of the Bacardi Cup in Miami over several decades. Tito's warm, generous and sociable spirit will always be remembered by his family and friends. .

An iconic brand has taken its decades-long affiliation with the sport of sailing to a new level with the start of a new tradition:  BACARDI Newport Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank.  For this inaugural event staged from Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s public sailing center, four one-design fleets – Star, Audi Melges 20, Viper 640 and J/80 – got in three days of racing (June 24-26) under PRO Anderson Reggio who received resounding applause at the awards presentation.

“It was fantastic.  It exceeded what we expected,” said Eddie Cutillas of BACARDI U.S.A.  “I think it’s a great first step and I look forward to a long future here.”  Cutillas explained that the shore side activities – which included an exhibit of nautical photographer Cory Silken’s work along with nightly social events – are just as important as what happens on the race course:  “They [the sailors] work hard and it’s a long day on the water.  I love to have something fun for them to come back to and enjoy after having been on the water all day.”

The only detail the event organizers could not dictate was the weather, which was chilly and grey for the first day of racing before settling into a partly sunny pattern that brought typical Newport sailing conditions of light, shifty breeze.  Racing north of the Newport Pell Bridge on one shared course meant the sailors also had to contend with current which one described as “tough because there was more pressure where there was adverse current.”

In the 10-strong Star class, Snipe World Champion Tomas Hornos (Marblehead, Mass.) started off the series with two second place finishes, which he followed with five bullets for a total of seven points to take the regatta title.  Second overall was Jack Jennings (Niles, Ill.) with 14 points, followed by William Swigart (Hong Kong) with 23. 

Paul Reilly (Chicago, Ill.), who finished third overall at the 2011 BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank this past March, topped the 12-boat Audi Melges 20 fleet after two first-place finishes in the six-race series.  Rob Wilber (Stony Creek, Conn.) was tied with Reilly on 16 points, but lost on the tie-breaker to finish second overall, while 2010 Audi Melges 20 National Champion Michael Kiss (Holland, Mich.) took third overall with 18 points after a rough final race. 

Finishing one point out of third was a sailor making his debut in the Audi Melges 20, Travis Weisleder (Richmond, Va.), who placed fourth overall with 19 points.  Not a bad showing for someone who had been on a Melges 20 only one time previously (as crew), and who had just assembled the boat at the dock, having taken delivery the day before racing began in Newport.  Asked why he had jumped into the class at Bacardi Newport Sailing Week, Weisleder talked up the boat, the class structure, and the competition, along with a great schedule of events.

With 27 entries, the Viper 640 was the largest fleet in the regatta which is also serving as both the EFG Bank Atlantic Coast Championship and the second leg of the class’ EFG Bank Pan American Championship.  And from the perspective of the class president it had been a great regatta.  “Lots of fun, as to be expected from Bacardi,” said Dan Tucker (Marblehead, Mass.).  Tucker’s best finish for the series was in the final race and he was “reasonably happy” that the breeze, and the crew work, came together better on the final day.  Of the event, however, he had no doubts:  “I think this is going to become a regatta to come to next year, and hopefully for years to come.”

Winning the Viper 640 was Pieter Taselaar (Scarsdale, N.Y.), who especially enjoyed the conditions on the final day.  The Audi Melges 32 World Champion explained that Bacardi Newport Sailing Week was only his third event in the Viper 640 which he had just purchased over the winter.  “I am still doing the Melges 32, but the next event is in two weeks in Garda [Italy] and we do a lot of cross training in the Viper which handles very similarly to the 32 in terms of the gybing angles and the tacking angles.  Getting the boat up to speed, keeping it in the groove.  It has a very similar feel, I find.  It’s a fun boat.”

Having fun clearly was reflected on the scoreboard, and with four first-place finishes in seven races, Taselaar won the event with eight points.  Second overall was Daan Goedkoop (Marblehead, Mass.) with 26 points, followed by Chuck Allen (Wickford, R.I.) with 28.

In the J/80 class, Newport sailor Andy Burton closed the series with a 2-2 after winning the first five races, for a net score of seven points to take the regatta title.  Chris Bulger (Brookline, Mass.) was second with 11 points followed by Tim Pitts (Plymouth, Mass.) with 19.

By all accounts, the inaugural Bacardi Newport Sailing Week event Presented by EFG Bank, with Verizon Wireless as a preferred sponsor, hit it out of the ballpark with their first effort.  For more information, visit www.newportsailingweek.com.

The third and final day of the Inaugural Bacardi Newport Sailing Week Presented by EFG Bank was delayed for an hour or so due to lack of wind.  Around 11:00 AM PRO Anderson Reggio sent out the boats and around noon the Viper 640’s were the first class to start. The fleets were able to put in few races making it seven in total.  Once back at Sail Newport participants gathered at the tent for the over prize giving ceremony.  Tomas Hornos won the Star Class, Paul Reilly and Andy Burdick won the Melges 20, Peter Taselaar won the Viper 640 and Andrew Burton won with Gromit the J/80 division.
Click here for full results: www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=474

The weather is definitely cooperating and sailing is underway, but happiness short lived as the wind died down after the first race.  Boats were sent in early and sailors gathered at the BACARDI hospitality.  The BBQ dinner and the BACARDI bar were very popular spots along with the SLAM and Verizon displays. .  It didn’t take long for a tug of war competition to start with prizes offered by our sponsors.
Click here for results: www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=474

IThe sky is gray this morning, but there is a great deal of activities down at the docks.  Sailors are rigging boats and excited to go racing.  Winds are around 10 knots and should increase later on and rain chances are low.  The racing courses will be north of the Newport Bridge.  The BACARDI bar along with the Cohiba, Verizon Wireless and SLAM stores will be open to the sailors for post race activities.
Click here for results: www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=474

It’s a very stormy day here in Newport and competitors are pulling in one by one. The registration process and the opening event took place under heavy rain with competitors sneaking in the Bacardi tent looking for relief.  Luckily the bar is fully functional and servers are doing their best in trying to keep the food flowing.  Enjoyable music and positive attitude helped everyone making this first event pleasant despite Mother Nature.

BACARDI® Newport Sailing Week
Inaugural Event Starts Tomorrow With Star Studded Fleets

NEWPORT, R.I. (June 23, 2011) – Competitors from as far away as Hong Kong and the U.K. will be among the 60+ boats that have been attracted to the “City by the Sea” for the inaugural BACARDI Newport Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank which sets sail tomorrow on Narragansett Bay. Racing is scheduled for June 24-26, 2011, with the five participating one-design classes – Star, Audi Melges 20, Melges 24, Viper 640 and J/80 – sharing one course north of Newport’s Pell Bridge.

For the eleven Audi Melges 20s, this event will serve as the class’ East Coast Championship and will see a re-match between Mary Anne Ward (Cocoa Beach, Fla.), 2010 Audi Melges 20 National Champion Michael Kiss (Holland, Mich.) and Paul Reilly (Chicago, Ill.), who finished 1-2-3 at the 2011 BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank this past March.

“The top boats are here, so it will be a throw down as usual,” observed Anthony Kotoun (Newport, R.I.) who is crewing on Cinghiale for skipper Rob Wilber (Stony Creek, Conn.). Kotoun’s success on the water – he learned to sail growing up in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., before making Newport his home – includes winning world and national championship titles and has led to regular demand for his expertise as both a coach and crew.

With 27 entries the three-person Viper 640 sport boats will have the largest contingent in the regatta, which is also serving as both the Atlantic Coast Championship and the second leg of the class’ Pan American Championship. Chosen by Sailing World Magazine as Boat of the Year in 1997, the Viper 640 counts America’s Cup veterans and Olympians as regular competitors and is regarded as one of the most exciting classes on the water. Glyn Locke (Isle of Wight), who won the Viper 640 class at the 2011 BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank, Audi Melges 32 World Champion Pieter Taselaar (Scarsdale, N.Y.) and British Olympian Barry Parkin (Riverside, Conn.) are among the high-profile skippers competing in this weekend’s inaugural event.

Other notable sailors to watch include Snipe World Champion Tomas Hornos (Marblehead, Mass.) who will race in the Star class, and, sailing in the J/80 class, Tim Pitts who represented his native Virgin Islands in the 2004 Olympics and currently resides in Plymouth, Mass.

The regatta is organized to strike a balance between on-the-water racing and social activities, starting with “Color of Wind,” an exhibition by marine photographer Cory Silken which is on display through June 26 at 33 America’s Cup Avenue, the former location of The Gap clothing store. The exhibit will be open to the public, free of charge, from noon to 6:00 p.m. daily. Jonathan Pogash, “The Cocktail Guru,” was on hand at the opening social event to create signature drinks for the regatta using Bacardi Rum, and with Verizon Wireless coming onboard as a preferred sponsor, the inaugural Bacardi Newport Sailing Week event Presented by EFG Bank shows all signs of becoming a hit with competitors.

For more information on the BACARDI Newport Sailing Week, visit www.newportsailingweek.com

About BACARDI Sailing Week
BACARDI Miami/Newport Sailing Weeks are multi-day events that gather the national and international sailing community together in a fun-filled week of competition, awards ceremonies, parties, and cultural exhibits. The historic BACARDI Cup and its Star fleet are at the heart of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week. In 2011, the Viper 640, Melges 20, Melges 24 and, J/24 and J/80 classes will also be competing in both events. BACARDI Sailing Week is a STUDIOMILANO project. For more information visit

www.miamisailingweek.com
www.newportsailingweek.com
www.studiomilano.com


About BACARDI Rums: In 1862, in Santiago de Cuba, BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum – BACARDI, the world’s favorite premium rum brand. Today, BACARDI Rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

About EFG International
EFG International is a global private banking group offering private banking and asset management services, headquartered in Zurich. EFG International's group of private banking businesses currently operates in over 50 locations in 30 countries, with circa 2,400 employees. EFG International's registered shares (EFGN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. EFG International is a member of EFG Group. www.efginternational.com

About STUDIOMILANO: STUDIOMILANO, the producer of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, is a full service marketing and management firm, founded in August 2002, representing some of the leading luxury retailers and events in the world. Services range from business and project management to event development and coordination, and all aspects in between. For more information on STUDIOMILANO, visit www.studiomilano.com



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ENJOY TOGETHER RESPONSIBLY.
www.BACARDÍ.com
©2011 BACARDÍ AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDÍ AND COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDÍ U.S.A., INC., CORAL GABLES, FL. RUM SPECIALTIES-EACH 15% ALC.BY VOL.

On Saturday June 18th Cory Silken opened the “Color of Wind” art exhibit presented by BACARDI with the support of EFG Bank and Verizon Wireless. The opening reception also served as the kick-off event for the Inaugural BACARDI Newport Sailing Week. Well over 100 invited guests and walk-ins had the opportunity to admire Silken’s prospective on sailing and sailboats. The exhibit will be open until Sunday June 26th at the former GAP space in Newport, RI and admission is free.

Don’t miss the opening of COLOR OF WIND by Newport’s own Cory Silken. This magnificent photographic exhibit, which is part of the Inaugural Bacardi Newport Sailing Week regatta presented by EFG Bank, will be on display at the former GAP store at 33 America’s Cup Avenue in Newport, R.I. The art-exhibit will be open daily from noon to 6:00pm and admission is free.

It's with pleasure that we announce the participation of Cohiba, a premium, handcrafted cigar brand manufactured by General Cigar Company, to our inaugural Newport event. Cohiba will be onsite with a mini cigar lounge located in the hospitality village. There, ambassadors from the bespoke brand will welcome sailors to savor the winning combination of Cohiba and Bacardi.

"Cohiba is a great addition to our program, and I'm grateful that we have such a distinguished brand on board", says Gabriele Pedone, BNSW Regatta Chair. "Cohiba is synonymous with the luxury lifestyle that will be embraced by attendees of the first-ever Bacardi Newport Sailing Week.” The event runs from June 23 to 26th. For more info, please visit www.newportsailingweek.com

It will be a case of ‘success breeds success’ when the inaugural BACARDI Newport Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank is held for the first time from June 23-26, 2011, on Rhode Island waters. The new event is a spin-off of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week whose organizers responded to positive feedback from sponsors and participants supporting the multi-class formula of the European-style regatta and who wanted to see that type of event staged in New England.

The Star, Melges 20, Melges 24, Viper 640 and J/24 fleets, all of whom have raced in the Miami event, will be joined in Newport by the J/80 class, and racing will be staged from Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s public sailing center. Competitors will find a balance between on-the-water racing and social activities in the “Sailing Capital of the World,” that will also include an exhibition by marine photographer Cory Silken. “Color of Wind” will be on display at 33 America’s Cup Avenue (the former location of The Gap clothing store), from June 18-26. The exhibit will be open to the public, free of charge, from noon to 6:00 p.m. daily.

Early registrations indicate that the organizers are right on the mark in meeting sailor’s needs: to date 20 of the three-person Viper 640 sport boats have registered for what is also the second leg of that class’ Pan American Championship, and entries are building in the remaining classes. With Verizon Wireless coming onboard as a preferred sponsor, the inaugural Bacardi Newport Sailing Week event Presented by EFG Bank is shaping up to become a highlight of the summer sailing schedule in Newport.

Verizon Wireless, the Nation’s carrier with most wireless customers of any U.S. company serving 94.1 million customers, will be sponsoring the Inaugural Bacardi Newport Sailing Week event Presented by EFG Bank. “It is with pleasure that we welcome Verizon Wireless as a Preferred sponsor of Newport Sailing Week,” says Gabriele Pedone the regatta Chairman and President of STUDIOMILANO. “I am confident that this partnership will bring a variety of opportunities for Verizon, our sailors and the general local public.” Our ultimate goal is to provide a platform that will help Verizon Wireless to further establish the brand in New England and within the North American sailing community”. Details on the sponsorship activations will be announced soon.

www.verizoninsider.com

Please click here to review amendment #2:

www.newportsailingweek.com/nor.html

Just returned from Newport where we had good meetings with Brad Read, Kim Cooper and Anderson Reggio of Sail Newport. All details have been ironed out and preparation for the Inaugural Newport Sailing Week is moving forward full speed. Amendment #1 has been posted here: www.newportsailingweek.com/nor.html Please keep checking as others changes will be posted.

We’ve also been working closely with both Bacardi and EFG in order to make this event memorable. SLAM, North Sails and West Marine are also very involved in supporting the event activities. Very shortly we will be able to announce another important partner that will be sponsoring the event… stay tuned!

It is with pleasure that BACARDI Newport Sailing Week announces that the J/80 fleet will be joining us for the Inaugural event. “The J/80’s is a very eclectic class and I’m very happy they decided to join us this summer.” Says Gabriele Pedone Regatta Chair. “For this I would like to thank Andrew Burton and Chris Bulger and officially welcome all the sailors that will participate to this highly anticipated regatta”.

Newport Sailing Week registration opened last week and it looks like the Viper Class is right on it. With 14 out of 17 boats registered it seems that we will have a great Class turnout at this inaugural event. For the Vipers BACARDI Newport Sailing Week Presented by EFG will be the second leg of their Pan-American Championship. During the same weekend other Vipers will be racing in Long Beach, CA at Long Beach Race Week.

Hereunder the Viper 640/EFG Bank ad that appeared on Sailing World - April issue.

The daily reviews and the overall event highlights are now on line. Please click www.miamisailingweek.com/videos.html to see them all!

Also on line the digital version of our magazine: www.miamisailingweek.com/program.html

A warm thank you to all the over 600 sailors that participated to the Miami event and we sincerely hope to see you back in Newport next June. We were happy to gather positive feedbacks on the Inaugural Newport regatta and we hope to see many of you in the northeast! A Notice of Event is on line and registration is now open.

Norway’s Melleby and Morland Lead BACARDI CUP® Standings At
BACARDI® MIAMI SAILING WEEK PRESENTED BY EFG BANK


MIAMI (March 7, 2011) – The Norwegian Star team of Eivind Melleby and Petter Morland Pedersen have won the opening race of the 84th BACARDI Cup, the first event of the 2011 BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank. After an hour delay due to light air, the 89-strong Star fleet got down to business as temperatures in the low 70s combined with elite-level competition to make Biscayne Bay the place to be.

Melleby and Pedersen have been here before – they also finished first in the opening race of the BACARDI Cup in 2008. And while today’s result is surely déjà vu, hopefully it is also not a curse – no team winning the opening race has gone on to claim the title in at least the last 10 years. The duo are making their fourth run at the BACARDI Cup, having achieved, to date, their best finish of seventh overall in 2010.

"We've never won the Bacardi Cup, but hope to this year,” said Melleby. “The day was marked by a very light breeze, so they postponed the race for an hour before they started. It was a long race. The wind shifted quite a lot to the left, but we were able to get out in front of it, and veer away from the rest of the fleet coming up to the first mark in fourth position. From there we were able to get away from the pack and managed to get into first position and stay there for most of the race. We were about 100 meters out in front until the end when Andrew Campbell (San Diego, Calif.) and crew Ian Coleman (Annapolis, Md.) were able to get a lot closer than we wanted. Campbell closed in less than 50 meters with a breeze from behind. With a light day like this, the boat speed is very similar, so our win was mostly about positioning and strategy."

"There are 20 boats, maybe more, that can win the Bacardi Cup at anytime,” observed Melleby. “We're just trying to stay consistent, and do well in every race this week. Hopefully, we can be at the top of the podium when all this ends."

Third overall after day one is the French team of Guillaume Florent and Pascal Rambeau, followed by George Szabo with Caleb Paine (both San Diego, Calif.). Mark Reynolds (San Diego, Calif.) and Rick Peters (Venice, Calif.) round out the top-five.

Racing for the BACARDI Cup resumes Tuesday, March 8, and continues through Saturday, March 12. For photos, results and additional information on the 84th Bacardi Cup and 2nd annual BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank, visit www.BACARDICup.com and www.MiamiSailingWeek.com

About BACARDI Cup: The BACARDI Cup was conceived in 1927 as a three-day event with sailors competing for the Trofeo BACARDI as part of the Cup of Cuba’s Mid-Winter Championship. In 1962 political unrest forced the Bacardi Cup to move from Havana to Coconut Grove, Florida, where it has since been hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club, the organizing authority for the BACARDI Cup.

About BACARDI Miami Sailing Week: In its second year, BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank is building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, again offering six days of remarkable sailing competition. The 84th running of the BACARDI Cup for the Star class will be the marquee event of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, with racing from Monday, March 7 through Saturday, March 12, 2011. Competition for the Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24 and Viper 640 classes takes place Thursday, March 10, through Saturday, March 12, with the Melges 20s also competing for their Winter Series and the Viper 640s also competing for their Pan American Championship. Racing will take place on three courses approximately two miles out on Biscayne Bay. Co-hosts for BACARDI Miami Sailing Week are Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, the U.S. Sailing Center Miami and Shake-A-Leg.

Nightly social events will feature award presentations, entertainment and art displays including exhibits by, among others, renowned Italian maritime photographer Franco Pace and Miami pop artist Stephen Gamson, designer of the official event poster. The art exhibits will be located in the North Hall of the Coconut Grove Convention Center, along with “100 years of the Star Boat,” a collection of information, photos and artifacts detailing the path of the Star boat from the original design in 1911 to the present day.

About BACARDI Rums: In 1862, in Santiago de Cuba, BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum – BACARDI, the world’s favorite premium rum brand. Today, BACARDI Rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.: Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

About STUDIOMILANO: STUDIOMILANO, the producer of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, is a full service marketing and management firm, founded in August 2002, representing some of the leading luxury retailers and events in the world. Services range from business and project management to event development and coordination, and all aspects in between. For more information on STUDIOMILANO, visit www.STUDIOMILANO.com.


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ENJOY TOGETHER RESPONSIBLY.
www.BACARDÍ.com
©2011 BACARDÍ AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDÍ AND COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDÍ U.S.A., INC., CORAL GABLES, FL. RUM SPECIALTIES-EACH 15% ALC.BY VOL.

During the BACARDI Miami Sailing week, GGAR will demonstrate that if 10% of FL population drive greener it could save $3Billion to reinvest in the local economy! A Green Driver is a Smart Driver.

"We are very pleased to be working with GGAR and the City of Miami on this important program." says Regatta Chair Gabriele Pedone. "We look forward to their seminars on Thursday 3/10 and Friday 3/11 and to the Go Grean Auto Rally on Saturday 3/12".

Learn the how to get the " Green Speed" at www.gogreenautorally.com

Click here to see the Flyer

Dear Star sailors, Welcome to Miami and to the 84th Bacardi Cup. Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you today at Registration and Welcome Cocktail from 4:00 to 7:00PM. Please join us for the opening of the art exhibit with Franco Pace, Stephen Gamson and your own Bill Allen. All the activities will take place at the Bacardi Village in Dinner Key. A map has been posted for your convenience.

Every participant will receive a bracelet that must be worn at all times at the Village area in order to have access and complementary services at the VIP hospitality and at the BACARDI Bar and dinner tickets for Wednesday’s Mid-Week Party and Saturday’s Award Ceremony dinner functions. Tickets will be redeemed at buffet stations.

Additional Social Passes are available at the Registration tent for $125.00 (includes Dinner Tickets). Additional Dinner tickets are available at the Registration tent for $30.00

The Bacardi Village construction has begun. Our crew is fervidly working in order to prepare everything in order to give you the warmest welcome possible. Photographer Franco Pace is in town and working with his crew in order to set-up “The Sails of Franco Pace” art Exhibit. Be sure to make some time and visit the show that also includes a tribute to 100 Years of Star Sailing and a display of Pop artist Stephen Gamson.

For this year regatta we partnered with Yacht Scoring. Luiz Kahl has been great to work with and we hope you will enjoy his great services. Among them the live results that, thanks to the efforts of our scoring team captained by Connie Bischoff, will be displayed live moments after the end of each regatta. If your family or friend are anxious to see how you did them to visit www.MiamiSailingWeek.com or www.BacardiCup.com

With over 95 boats registered, the 84th edition of the iconic Bacardi Cup is set to see one of the fiercest title battles in recent years as some of the most recognizable athletes in the sport return to the waters of Biscayne Bay next week for the headline event of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank. To date, competitors from 25 countries are entered to race from March 7-12, 2011, in one of five classes – Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24, Star and Viper 640 – that will see action over the week-long series.

“We are all looking forward to a great week,” said Bill Allen (Highwood, Ill.), President of the International Star Class Association, explaining that the class was very excited to be part of the expanded BACARDI Miami Sailing Week. “Bacardi and the Star Class have been partners for 84 years – first in Cuba and in Miami since the 1960s. The Bacardi Cup is one of the premier events on our racing calendar; only the world championship has a more talented field.”

That the Olympics is little more than a year away is sure to be a factor driving these elite sailors, as Allen counted off 15 teams with the potential to end up on the podium. “We will have at least five world champions and 10-15 continental champions. At least 10 of the top-20 in the world rankings will be competing and picking the medal winners among these outstanding sailors would be impossible.”

Among the elite field is Mark Reynolds (San Diego, Calif.), often referred to as the “Star of the Star class,” who has a resume that includes two world championship titles (1995, 2000) and three Olympic medals (1992 Gold,1988 Silver, 2000 Gold) in arguably the most competitive one-design class in the world. Additional Olympians in the fleet include Mateusz Kusznierewicz, of Poland, who won Olympic gold and bronze in the Finn class (1996 and 2004) before switching to the Star for the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he finished fourth; New Zealand’s three-time Olympian (1996, 2004, 2008) Hamish Pepper; and Ireland’s 2008 Olympian Peter O’Leary.

There are about 15 different sailors that could win,” said Rick Merriman (New York, N.Y), the 2010 Bacardi Cup titleholder, who will race with crew Austin Sperry (Gulfport, Miss.) a 2008 Olympian. “Mateusz won the worlds here in 2008 and Freddy Loof (SWE) just finished second at last month’s Rolex Miami OCR, as well as Peter O'Leary who won Weymouth Sail for Gold this past summer. Plus past Bacardi Cup winners Hamish Pepper (NZL) and Peter Bromby (BER). I just barely touched the list of contenders! It will be another tough regatta.”

About Bacardi Cup: The Bacardi Cup was conceived in 1927 as a three-day event with sailors competing for the Trofeo BACARDI as part of the Cup of Cuba’s Mid-Winter Championship. In 1962 political unrest forced the Bacardi Cup to move from Havana to Coconut Grove, Florida, where it has since been hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club, the organizing authority for the Bacardi Cup.

About BACARDI Miami Sailing Week: In its second year, BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank is building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, again offering six days of remarkable sailing competition. The 84th running of the Bacardi Cup for the Star class will be the marquee event of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, with racing from Monday, March 7 through Saturday, March 12, 2011. Competition for the Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24 and Viper 640 classes takes place Thursday, March 10, through Saturday, March 12, with the Melges 20s also competing for their Winter Series and the Viper 640s also competing for their Pan American Championship. Racing will take place on three courses approximately two miles out on Biscayne Bay. Co-hosts for BACARDI Miami Sailing Week are Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, the US Sailing Center Miami and Shake-A-Leg.

Nightly social events will feature award presentations, entertainment and art displays including exhibits by, among others, renowned Italian maritime photographer Franco Pace and Miami pop artist Stephen Gamson, designer of the official event poster. The art exhibits will be located in the North Hall of the Coconut Grove Convention Center, along with “100 years of the Star Boat,” a collection of information, photos and artifacts detailing the path of the Star boat from the original design in 1911 to the present day.

For more information on the 84th Bacardi Cup and 2nd annual BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank, visit www.BacardiCup.com and www.MiamiSailingWeek.com

We are happy to announce that West Marine will be extending $15.00 off for purchases of $100.00 or more. Be sure to take advantage of this offer for your last minute needs. The closest store is on US 1 at 3635 South Dixie Hwy – Tel (305) 444-5520. Click here to print the coupon.

Thank you for registering and making the commitment to participate to the 2011 Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Miami Sailing Week regatta. Over 180 boats – 50 more than 2010, will be on the starting line and over 600 participants are expected to take part to the on and off water activities. Sailing Instruction will be posted this week for your review and consideration. See you in Miami!!!

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY Registration for the 2011 Bacardi Cup and BACARDI Miami Sailing Week will close on 2/28/11
INSURANCE Proof of Insurance is no longer required at Registration, but Owner will need to sign a document in which confirms that boat holds adequate insurance including third-party liability.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INJURY If Owner or Crewmembers are not physically present at the Registration desk, Owner or Crewmember in charge of registering the boat will be allowed to sign the Waiver on behalf, and with authorization, of other team member/s. At that point he releases in full STUDIOMILANO, Miami Sailing Week, Bacardi USA, Bacardi Cup, EFG International, Organizing Authority, Sponsors, Support Facilities, Volunteers, Agents, Employees and Service providers, the PRO and the Committee

We gladly provide free trailer Parking at Dinner Key. Instructions: When you’re ready to park please stop by the regatta HQ at the hospitality village. You will be directed to the space and please park trailer in an available parking spot. Please consider your fellow competitors and do not occupy two spaces. After parking step into the Marina office, which is just in front of the lot, and retrieve a parking permit that will need to be taped to the trailer. All trailers must leave the area by Sunday March 13th. Responsibility Release: Trailer Parking is free and at your own risk. By signing this form you understand that the City of Miami, STUDIOMILANO, Bacardi USA, the Yacht Clubs and everyone else involved with the regatta are not responsible in anyway for total/partial damages or loss. Parking lot is unattended, we strongly suggest you secure your trailer During nighttime City of Miami provides a Security Patrol service for the general Dinner Key area, but is not responsible to guard the specific area.

The partnership between BSW and North Sails will continue in 2011 for both BACARDI events. We are grateful to North SailS for their support; with many events to choose from we’re delighted to be able to work with them again in 2011. Vince Brun promised a surprise gift therefore be on the lookout during registration! For any sail needs make sure you contact them via phone or e-mail: www.na.northsails.com/tabid/12129/Default.aspx

Miami based pop artist Steve Gamson and Event Chair Gabriele Pedone electronically unveil the 2011 Bacardi Sailing Week Presented by EFG Bank Official Poster. “I loved idea of being involved in sailing and Bacardi Sailing Week” says Stephen Gamson. “The contrast between the boats and the water are very inspiring to me. I feel like being associated with the event will enable me to define the vibrant and exciting life style that this city has to offer.”

“I was pleased to know that an eclectic artist such Stephen had the interest and will to be involved with our events” says Event Chair Gabriele Pedone. “I love the poster design and I love to see a fresh prospective on sailing through the eyes of an established artist”.

The original design, printed on canvass, will be auctioned during the event to benefit a local charitable organization.

A special weeklong art exhibit is inviting BMSW participants and visitors to three original exibits: “The Sails of Franco Pace” by celebrated photographer Franco Pace, a celebration of “100 Years of the Star Boat” and a display of Miami based, pop artist, Stephen Gamson. The North Hall of the Convention Center of Coconut Grove will be divided in three main areas where the artists will be able to display their art. The exhibition is open to the public daily between noon and 7:00PM and will be free of charge.

“The Sails of Franco Pace”: The exhibition summarizes the activity of the author during the last 30 years in which he has been shooting all types of sailing boats. The images describe the magic of sailing from very different prospectives.

“100 years of the Star Boat”: A history path of the Star boat from the original design in 1911 to the present day. Among many artifacts, an old wooden Star from vintage 1950’s will be fully rigged alongside the current high tech model.

“Stephen Gamson” will display paintings and sculptures that are playful in style, witty and relate to pop culture. The artist will also be designing the official event poster of the event. The original design will be auctioned and will benefit a local charitable organization that will be announced at a later date.

Please help me welcome Barton & Gray Mariners Club as an official sponsor for Bacardi Sailing Week. Barton & Gray Mariners Club is the world’s first and finest luxury dayboating club. Membership with the Club grants you access to our fleet of captained Hinckley yachts along the eastern coast of the United States. As a Member you will find your yachts in the most incredible destinations, at the most attractive ports, and with the finest appointments and provisions available. Membership is annual and there are multiple levels of Membership tailored to match your lifestyle. We had the pleasure to be guests in Nantucket last summer, and the experience was a memorable one; my family is still treasuring memories of a unforgettable day on Nantucket Sound. Additional information are available at www.bartonandgray.com www.bartonandgray.com

Allow me to welcome back West Marine as an official sponsor of BACARDI Sailing Week Presented by EFG Bank. West Marine is the world's largest boating supply retailer started in a garage in Sunnyvale, CA by Randy Repass. In 1968 he began selling nylon rope by mail order under the name West Coast Ropes. Today, West Marine has over 300 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. The company now carries more than 50,000 products, ranging from the rope that started it all, to the latest in marine electronics. In addition to its retail stores and Port Supply wholesale divisions, the company serves boaters in more than 150 countries worldwide through its mail order and Internet divisions.

The Miami store is located minutes from Coconut Grove on US 1 at 3635 South Dixie Hwy – Phone (305) 444-5520 and they will be able to assist you for any needs you might have during or prior to the event. www.westmarine.com

BACARDI Miami Sailing Week Presented by EFG Bank is pleased to announce that celebrated Miami based pop artist Steven Gamson – www.stephengamson.com – will be designing the official event poster.  In addition Gamson will be displaying his art during this year Art Exhibit. This will be Stephen’s first approach to the sailing world and we are curious to see his fresh perspective.  The original design will be auctioned and will benefit a local charitable organization that will be announced at a later date.

Gamson is an American artist from the communication age whose style is easily recognized for its colors, symbols and appeal. A passionate art enthusiast and uniquely talented artist who spreads positivity and optimism with his playful paintings and sculptures related to pop culture. Stephen Gamson has served on the board of directors for many organizations such as The Jackson Metropolitans (a division of The Jackson Memorial Hospital Foundation), The Shakers advisory board for The Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, Hugs and Kisses at The Miami Childrens Hospital, The AJ Japour Art Gallery and Foundation, and is one of the founding members of Art for a Cause. He also supports many other worthy organizations by donating artwork and volunteering his time. Gamson was tapped to be the official artist for Café Bustelo. His artwork will appear internationally as Bustelo rolls out 100 retail stores.

Thank you Stephen, we look forward seeing your art!

Coffee Break with Filippo Bovio of SLAM, Technical Sponsor of the BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank and BACARDI CUP.

BMSW : Happy new year Filippo. Tell us about some new products that will be launched this year to the public.

FB: First of all we at SLAM would like to wish all of our friends and sailors a happy 2011 and thank them for the support.
We continue to develop our products to meet and exceed the needs of the sailors. As new technologies become available, we try to incorporate them in our products.
In 2011 for example, after having tested the materials with the BMW Oracle Team, we will launch new technical shirts that contain carbon fiber materials whith increased wicking properties. Also we will present an new oil skin called Force 2.

BMSW: This is the second year that you are the technical sponsor of the BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank and the BACARDI CUP. What are your thoughts on the event?

FB: We are very happy to continue our association with the BACARDI Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG Bank and the BACARDI CUP. It is for sure the most important event in Miami and the BACARDI CUP is so full of history and tradition. The event itself is growing and, from what I hear, this year will see a big increase in boats. The expanded formula is proving to be a winning solution for all.

BMSW: Filippo, I know that you are also an avid sailor. Since you live  and sail in Miami, give us your thoughts on , Biscayne Bay.

FB: I am privileged to have the opportunity to sail in such a beautiful location. As a sailor, Biscayne Bay is the ideal place to sail with small boats due to the constant presence of wind, sheltered and calm waters. It is also very challenging because the winds shifts constantly.  Another great benefit as a sailor are the great facilities that the City and Clubs provide which make it easy….I just wish I could sail more!!

BMSW: Thank you Filippo and best wishes to SLAM for 2011 !

Just a brief update to say that registrations for the 2011 BACARDI Miami Sailing Week are growing daily . So far Star and Melges 24 are in the lead with VIPER 640, Melges 20, and J/24 on their heels. Important  to remember  is that registration is not completed and confirmed until it is paid. To register just click here.

Best wishes for a fantastic 2011 !

Hi Bill, thank you for taking some time to talk with us. Any news for the 2011 Star Class?

“This is a very special year for the class, as we are celebrating 100 years of sailing star boats.
The BMSW will be a major part of our year long celebration where we are planning an exhibit, culminating in major events in Europe and the US in late fall.  The US event will be held in Larchmont, NY, very close to the original venue of Star sailing in 1911.” 

And how would you describe the relationship between Star boats and Bacardi?

“Bacardi has been a major partner of the Star Class for over 80 years.  First raced in Havana, Cuba, the Bacardi Cup has a fixture on the Star Miami calendar for over 50 years.  We are very excited to be joined by several other great classes in the expanded BMSW.  We expect over 100 boats this year to celebrate our 100 years.
The Star Class is honored to be a part of the 2nd annual Bacardi Miami Sailing Week.”

Are the boats very different from the original? What would you consider to be the major innovations on the boats?

“The class has undergone significant evolution over the past 100 years.  Wooden boats and masts have been replaced by Fiberglas and Aluminum.  The result is a very athletic boat that attracts the top sailors from all over the World.”

November 23, 2010 (Miami, Fla.) – EFG International, a leading international private bank, and STUDIOMILANO, the promoter of BACARDI® Sailing Week events, have signed a two-year agreement that brings EFG on board as the new Presenting Sponsor of both BACARDI Miami Sailing Week (to be held from 7-12 March, 2011) and BACARDI Newport Sailing Week (23-26 June, 2011).

EFG has an extensive range of sports-related sponsorships and supports other regattas and sailing campaigns/classes in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Earlier this year, EFG joined forces with the Viper 640 Class Association to create the EFG Bank Pan-American Championships, which begin with BACARDI Miami Sailing Week.

“Earlier this year we got involved with the Vipers and with BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, and it has been an extremely positive experience all round,” said Keith Gapp, head of Strategic Marketing & Communication at EFG.  “It is an honor to be partnering with BACARDI, given its sailing heritage, notably in the form of the 83-year-old Bacardi Cup.” 

“We are happy to welcome EFG as the Presenting Sponsor of our events, which will be known collectively as the BACARDI Miami/Newport Sailing Weeks Presented by EFG Bank,” said Gabriele Pedone, President of STUDIOMILANO and Event Chair for both regattas.  “EFG is a recognized leader in sports marketing, and it’s exciting to be deepening the existing partnership in Miami and working together to establish a new event in Newport, R.I., where we will have our inaugural event next June.”

Gapp added, “The global nature of sailing perfectly complements EFG, which has an international outlook and serves clients worldwide.  Sailing is an important part of our brand-building efforts, but it also enables us to build business relationships and support the sailing community.”

About EFG International
EFG International is a global private banking group offering private banking and asset management services, headquartered in Zurich. EFG International's group of private banking businesses currently operates in over 50 locations in 30 countries, with circa 2,400 employees. EFG International's registered shares (EFGN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. EFG International is a member of EFG Group. www.efginternational.com

About Bacardi Sailing Week BACARDI Miami/Newport Sailing Weeks are multi-day events that gather the National and International sailing community together in a fun-filled week of competition, awards ceremonies, parties, and cultural exhibits. The historic BACARDI Cup, in its 84th running, and its Star fleet will be part of BACARDI Miami Sailing Week. In 2011 the Viper 640, Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24 and J/80 classes will also be competing in both events.
BACARDI Sailing Week is a STUDIOMILANO project. For more information visit www.MiamiSailingWeek.com, www.NewportSailingWeek.com and www.StudioMilano.com

November 16, 2010 (Miami, Fla.) – Following a successful inaugural year, BACARDI® Miami Sailing Week (BMSW) will return to Coconut Grove in Miami, Fla., for its second annual running from March 6-12, 2011.  In addition, the organizing committee has announced the creation of BACARDI Newport Sailing Week, which will be held in Newport, R.I., from June 23-26, 2011.  Both events will be presented by EFG Bank with Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. reconfirmed as the title sponsor.

Featured at the week-long regatta in Miami will be the 84th running of the historic BACARDI® Cup for the Star Class. The BACARDI Cup was conceived in 1927 as a three-day event with less than ten boats competing for the Trofeo BACARDI as part of Cuba’s Mid-Winter Championship. The regatta continued for 30 years until political unrest forced the BACARDI Cup to move in 1962 from Havana to the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove. Since continuing ever since in Miami, the BACARDI Cup has grown into an internationally renowned sailing spectacle with as many as 200 world-class sailors representing 23 different countries, all channeling the grand tradition of camaraderie that has made the event so cherished by its participants.

The Viper 640, along with the Melges 20, Melges 24 and the J/24 classes, will join the competition at BMSW. The event will be a six-day experience that will gather national and international sailing classes together in a fun-filled week of regattas, awards ceremonies, parties, and cultural exhibits. The racing begins on March 7, with events scheduled daily through March 12. The prestigious Coral Reef Yacht Club will coordinate on-water activities in collaboration with Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The U.S. Sailing Center and Shake-A-Leg Miami will also support the event. Racing will be held on three separate courses approximately two miles out on Biscayne Bay.  Event registration is online at www.MiamiSailingWeek.com

“We are pleased to be working again with our title sponsor  Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. and EFG Bank, which has become the new presenting sponsor of the BACARDI Miami/Newport Sailing Weeks,” said Gabriele Pedone, President of STUDIOMILANO, which organizes both regattas.  “The fact that we will start a second event in Newport, Rhode Island, at Sail Newport next June, is confirmation that both our sponsors and participants enjoy the multi-class formula in a European-style regatta.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including corporate and individual sponsor programs, as well as official supplier opportunities. Interested parties should contact info@studiomilano.com.

More information on the BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, the 84th BACARDI Cup, and BACARDI Newport Sailing Week is available at www.BacardiCup.com, www.MiamiSailingWeek.com, and www.NewportSailingWeek.com.