COFFEE BREAK WITH MARK PINCUS

Q: After a few months of work into the 2010 BACARDI Cup and the Inaugural BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, what are your expectations and the one of the people you’ve been talking to?

There is added excitement this year with the announcement of BACARDI's Miami Sailing Week. There has been a very enthusiastic reception to the new concept of adding more circles with additional classes and the classes that were not included this year are hoping for invitations next year.

Q. From an organizational standpoint what were the challenges you faced and how is the event shaping up?

The Biscayne Bay waterfront has past experience in organizing large regattas and has the talent and resources to handle them with all of the yacht clubs and sailing centers. That being said, as with any large event, coordinating the people and facilities is always a major challenge, particularly for it's inaugural year. With just under 2 months to go, the regatta is coming together wonderfully.

Q. Can you describe the three courses?

There will be 3 circles with 5 classes of boats racing. Star Class will be on one circle with the largest course, both in size as well as competitors, as the traditional BACARDI Cup. The Meges 20's and the Meges 24's will be sailing on another circle with the Viper's and J/24's sailing on the third circle. All of the circles are large enough to run a variety of actual courses including triangles but the most prominent course run by the PRO's is the double windward/leeward with either upwind or downwind finishes.

Q. Can you introduce to us the PRO’s and the Race Committees? 

The BACARDI Cup Star course will be run by the Coal Reef Yacht Club with Dr. Bill Smoak as PRO. Dr Smoak is one of the most experienced and trusted race officers we have on Biscayne Bay and his committee will be made up of club members who have running Star races for many of the 47 years Coral Reef has been hosting the BACARDI Cup.

BACARDI's Miami Sailing Week Melges course will be run by the Coconut Grove Sailing Club with one of their most trusted race officers, Ron Rostorfer, and Bruce Golison as co-PRO's. Bruce has been here this winter running all of the Melges 20 regattas at CGSC along with Ron and although I do not know Bruce, I understand he is a fine sailor and race officer.

And last, this year's BACARDI Miami Sailing Week Viper/J24 course will be run jointly out of Coral Reef and Biscayne Bay Yacht Clubs with Judy Hanlon from Tampa as the PRO. Judy is a US Sailing certified race officer and judge who has officiated in many capacities at regattas we have run here as well as all over the country. She will have her race committee made up of various members of all the local clubs and sailing facilities.

Q. What sailors should expect from the competition standpoint?

Ask almost any sailor about the BACARDI Cup and they will know something about it. It is one of the most prestigious sailing regattas in our country and the world, with some of the best sailors in the world. Now with BACARDI's Miami Sailing Week coming on board other classes and sailors have the opportunity to join one of the greatest sailing venues available during the winter months. We have some of the best sailing weather and the most experienced race management personal in the country.

As you see from the classes participating, there will be some very competitive racing with the newer sport boats, and with the traditional classes like Stars and J/24s there is always strong competition. You will see many sailing professionals and rock stars from all areas of the sport during the week.

Q. Any suggestion you’d like to offer?

Visit the website at MiamiSailingWeek.com to browse all the information there and register to sail! Early registration ends in 3 weeks on February 7, 2010. Also, be sure to take advantage of all the City of Miami and Coconut Grove has to offer, as they are big supporter of our event.  There are travel opportunities highlighted on BMSW website or log on to coconutgrovechamber.com  The event is also supported by Sail the Grove, a Coconut Grove program that aims at promoting and supporting sailing activities in the Grove including regattas such as ours.

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