Gulari takes 4th Bacardi Invitational Regatta, Dyvi tops Corinthian division; Winter Series win goes to Gulari

9 March 2024 - Miami, FL, USA -  The final day of the Bacardi Invitational Regatta for the Melges 24 was a day of anticipation and pressure. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the boat park early in the morning belied the intensity about to unfold racing against many of the best sailors in the world.

KINGSPOKE USA820 of Bora Gulari with Norman Berge / Nick Ford / RJ Porter / Charlie Smythe - Bacardi Invitational Regatta 2024

Martina Orsini

For the Melges 24 Bora Gulari at the helm of Kingspoke emerged triumphant ahead of overnight regatta leader Peter-David Karrie racing Nefeli. Two bullets in the final races of the event put him ahead by two points for the win. Karrie finished second with Bruce Ayres’ Monsoon clinching third overall.

NEFELI GER859 of Peter Karrie with Alessandro Franci, Niccolò Bianchi, Saverio Cigliano and Alessandro Saettone - Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta 2024

Martina Orsini

Going into the day, Gulari trailed Karrié by 6 points. He did everything he could to close the gap, winning Race 7 and narrowing Karrié's lead to 5 points. The final showdown, Race 8, would decide the winner, and it was now just between these two.

Gulari and his team’s unique ability to thrive under pressure, combined with their teamwork and discipline, were rewarded with another win. But their fate would be ultimately decided by Karrie, who needed a top-five finish to claim overall victory. Fortunately for Gulari, Karrie crossed the line in 8th to secure second overall, while Ayres took third.

Monsoon USA851 of Bruce Ayres with Thomas Dietrich, Edward Hackney, Pearl Lattanzi and Jeremy Wilmot - Bacardi Invitational Regatta 2024

Martina Orsini

“It’s pretty good. I love the boat, I love the camaraderie, I love my people. Everyone’s just so good,” remarked Gulari post racing. On what it means to race at the Bacardi Invitational, Gulari added: “Getting to play with your best friends and trying your absolute hardest every single moment.”

Gulari’s also secures the 2023-2024 Bacardi Invitational Winter Series title by combining his team’s win from BWS 1 and 2 with the Invitational Regatta’s triumph.

KINGSPOKE USA820 of Bora Gulari with Norman Berge / Nick Ford / RJ Porter / Charlie Smythe - Bacardi Invitational Regatta 2024

Martina Orsini

Only five teams out of 18 qualified to compete in the Corinthian division.

Congratulations to Norwegian Team RRH with Jan Frederik Dyvi, Jan Borø, Herman Horn-Johannessen, Stian Ness Rørvik and Malin Rørvik-Sundelin as they are the 2024 Corinthian Melges 24 Bacardi Invitational Regatta champions. This is their 3rd consecutive Bacardi Invitational Regatta all-amateur win. They placed 8th overall.

Team RRH NOR749 of Jan Fredrik Dyvi with Jan Borø / Herman Horn-Johannessen / Stian Ness Rørvik / Malin Rørvik-Sundelin - Bacardi Invitational Regatta 2024

Martina Orsini

Dan Berezin’s Surprise came in second, followed by fellow Canadian Greg Chamberlain’s Huzzah in third.

Save the date for next year and come sail with us from March 2-8, 2025.

Melges 24 (One Design - 18 Boats)

1. Kingspoke, Bora Gulari / Norman Berge / Nick Ford / RJ Porter / Charlie Smythe , USA - 1 -5 -3 -5 -[6] -4 -1 -1 ; 20
2. Nefeli, Peter-David Karrié / Alessandro Franci / Niccolò Bianchi / Saverio Cigliano / Alessandro Saettone , GER - [10] -2 -4 -2 -3 -1 -2 -8 ; 22
3. Monsoon, Bruce Ayres / Thomas Dietrich / Edward Hackney / Pearl Lattanzi / Jeremy Wilmot , USA - 4 -4 -2 -4 -7 -[10] -6 -2 ; 29
4. Sentinel, Geoff Fargo / William McBride / Jackson Benvenutti / Grant Janov / Jeff Grange , USA - [11] -7 -1 -7 -5 -3 -5 -3 ; 31
5. Zingara, Richard Reid / Madeline Gill / Ian Sloan / Bill Gooderham / Alec Anderson , CAN - 2 -3 -5 -[9] -4 -9 -3 -6 ; 32
6. Flying Jenny, Sandra Askew / Rob Greenhalgh / Key Becker / Drew Barnes / Alex Goulf , USA - 7 -9 -6 -1 -1 -7 -[11] -5 ; 36
7. Bombarda, Andrea Pozzi / Filippo Amonti / Matteo ivaldI / Stefano ciampalini / Carlo zermini , ita - 5 -6 -7 -[11] -2 -5 -4 -7 ; 36
8. Team RRH, Jan Frederik Dyvi / Jan Borø / Herman Horn-Johannessen / Stian Ness Rørvik / Malin Rørvik-Sundelin , NOR - 8 -1 -12 -[17] -8 -2 -9 -9 ; 49
9. Gamecock, Peter McClennen / Steve Liebel / Mike Marshall / Joaquin Bur / Wilson Stout , USA - 3 -12 -13 -3 -11 -6 -7 -[19/DNF] ; 55
10. Takeoff, Andrew Picel / Dylan Manney / Leland Hubble / Scott Nixon , USA - 6 -[17] -9 -6 -13 -8 -8 -14 ; 64
11. Dark Horse, Cuyler Morris / Keiran Searle / John Bowden / Charlie Hibben / Mikaela Wulff , USA - [13] -8 -11 -8 -12 -11 -12 -4 ; 66
12. Surprise, Dan Berezin / Alex Kapustin / Misha Mayevsky / Tamara Moskaliuk / Federico Donzino , CAN - [19/DNS] -10 -8 -12 -10 -12 -13 -12 ; 77
13. The 300, Steven Boho / Tom Babel / Ted Keller / Andrew Girrell , USA - 9 -[16] -15 -10 -14 -15 -10 -13 ; 86
14. Smile and Wave, Jaime Torres / Rob Britts / Neil Battrum / Gretchen Ortiz / Meg Hislop , USA - 14 -13 -10 -13 -[16] -14 -14 -10 ; 88
15. TRIPLE D’s, Dwight LeBlanc / Hugh Holkins / Brian Wynne / Rob Adams / Macin Brian , USA - 12 -[15] -14 -14 -15 -13 -15 -11 ; 94
16. Huzzah, Greg Chamberlain / Matt Merrcier / Lisa Merrcier / Matt Lane / Myles Arton-smith , CAN - 16 -11 -[17] -16 -9 -17 -17 -15 ; 101
17. Crazy Train, Patrick Croke / Brigette Croke / Ted Helme / Megan Roach / Nicolas Barta , USA - 17 -14 -16 -[18] -17 -16 -18 -16 ; 114
18. Rebel, John Spierling / Jason Van Hoorn / Scott Sorbie / Brad Cross / Paige Van Hoorn , USA - 15 -18 -18 -15 -18 -18 -16 -[19/DNC] ; 118

Full results

Photos