(Miami, FL)- After a near perfect three days of sailing on Biscayne Bay
two weeks ago, the J/70s are returning to Miami to race the Bacardi Cup
J/70 Invitational. Coral Reef YC in Coconut Grove, FL will again host
the racing. The forecast certainly looks promising with good breezes
and sunny skies on the menu from Thursday through Saturday, with winds
starting in the 10-20 kts NW and slowly swinging to the SE in the 10-15
kts range to conclude the regatta.The 50-boat fleet has an international flavor to it since there are many teams from Europe and South America joining in for early training time before the J/70 World Championships being hosted in Marblehead, MA by Eastern YC in September 2018. Teams are sailing from Great Britain, Brazil, Canada, Monaco, Chile, Argentina, Norway, and Mexico.
Amongst those to challenge current J/70 World Champion Peter Duncan is his J/70 World's winning teammate Jud Smith (USA) and 2017 Worlds runner-up Brian Keane (USA). Italy’s Vincenzo Onorato, who holds World titles in the Farr 40 and M32, will be racing his well-known Mascalzone Latino with a formidable team including three-time Olympian and Gold Medallist in the Laser Class and two-time Moth Class World Champion Paul Goodison (GBR). Joel Ronning (USA), who won the 2016 Worlds and the recent J/70 Midwinters, will also be in the field.
In fact, most of the top five from the recent J/70 Midwinters will be participating, including Ronning’s CATAPULT, Duncan’s RELATIVE OBSCURITY, Bruce Golison’s MIDLIFE CRISIS, and Keane’s SAVASANA. In addition, two more top teams will be mixing it up with these leading boats, such as the first J/70 World Champion- Tim Healy on USA 2 from Newport, RI and also the J/105 North American Champion and J/80 World Champion Glenn Darden from Forth Worth Boat Club who will be sailing HOSS (his crew includes Olympic Gold Medallist Jonathan McKee as tactician).
Overseas visiting teams include the 2017 J/111 World Champion- Martin Dent on JELVIS from England and J/24 South American Champion- Vernon Robert from Algarrobo, Chile sailing MORENITA.
For more Bacardi Cup J/70 Invitational sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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