Floridians win 86th Bacardi Cup Sailing Week

Miamian Brian Fatiah and his racing partner Mark Mendelblatt from St. Petersburg won the 86th Bacardi Cup last week. This Florida team who represented the USA in the Star class at the 2012 Olympics, won the single race contested by the 56 Star teams on the final day of the series to move to the top of the standings with 26 points. Lars Grael and Mario Lagoa (Brazil), who had been atop the overall standings throughout the week, took second overall with 30 points after placing seventh in the race.  

Defending champion Xavier Rohart (France) ended the series tied on points with Grael after finishing the race in fourth place to take third in the overall standings. The only change for Diego Negri and Frithjof Kleen (Italy) or 2003 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Augie Diaz (Miami, FL) and Arnis Baltins, was in the point totals as both retained their positions in the top-five with, respectively, 33 and 41 points. 

"We started [the series] not in the best way, but we turned it around,” said Mendelblatt, who previously won the Bacardi Cup in 2005. “It was a disappointing start and it was my fault for not having a good first race. After that we've been very consistent with low scores. We won the last two races and everything went our way.  Winning the Cup again means a lot to me; it's really great because winning any big Star regatta is not easy at all! I am very happy to have had Brian with me.  He is a great crew and wanted to have his name on the Tito Bacardi trophy. The Bacardi Cup is a great event and now, with the addition of all the other classes, it's even more satisfying."

Many Grovites took part in Sailing Week by going to the parties and events at our waterfront at the various venues. The Coconut Grove BID among others had booths set up and it was a fun week of participation for everyone who wanted to be involved.

Alessandro Rombelli (Milan, Italy) took second overall in the Audi Melges 20 fleet at Bacardi Miami Sailing Week.

Photos Cory Silken.