Light Air Chess Match, Heavy Air Finale: Bacardi Winter Series Event No.2 Concludes

23 February 2026 - Miami, FL, USA - Sandy Askew’s Flying Jenny in overall ranking and Stuart Simpson's Team Barbarians in Corinthian division claimed victory at Bacardi Winter Series Event No.2 after nine races over three sun-soaked days on Biscayne Bay. It was a tale of two breezes: a light-air chess match and a heavy-air grand finale.

International teams from Canada, UK, Germany, Monaco, Italy, USA, Sweden, Bermuda, and Hungary converged on Miami for the second edition of the 2026 Bacardi season. Light breeze defined the opening days before Sunday’s 20 knots flipped the switch. As always, racing by day gave way to an open Bacardi bar under the palms.

Flying Jenny USA869 by Sandra Askew

Hannah Lee Noll

Sandy Askew earned her first Bacardi victory in joyful fashion. Flying Jenny led early in the week, stayed in the hunt through Day Two, and sealed the deal in one of the most intense final races of recent memory. Askew sailed alongside tactician Rob Greenhalgh (of Volvo Ocean Race fame), Alex Gough, Patrick Farrell, and Drew Barnes.

“I feel so blessed,” said Askew, sporting her signature sparkling shoes. “This team is incredible; they work so hard and bring so much experience. And to do this with Flying Jenny, named after my mom, with her picture on our spinnaker… that makes it even more special.”

FULL MAVI USA874 by Bora Gulari

Hannah Lee Noll

The final race defined the event: Askew and Bora Gulari with Kyle Navin as a Tactician and Porter-brothers of Full Throttle onboard of FULL MAVI, began the race tied for the overall lead, with Harry Melges IV one point behind. Three protagonists.

Gulari rounded the first windward mark in front. Askew found pressure down the first run and skipped ahead. Gulari dropped to sixth before clawing back to second. Melges appeared buried early but charged back into contention when the right side of the next beat paid off. All three teams carried double-digit scores at various moments.

When they crossed the finish line, no one knew who won. Even the protagonists shrugged. Only after the discard was applied did the picture become clear: Flying Jenny had done enough.

Askew takes the crown. Gulari finishes second. Melges third. 

ZENDA EXPRESS USA868 by Harry Melges IV

Hannah Lee Noll

Stuart Simpson’s Team Barbarians claims the Corinthian trophy followed by Harbor Scheuermann's Speedster and Chris Woodall's Oxcart.

BARBARIANS GBR691 by Stuart Simpson

Hannah Lee Noll

For 99 years, Bacardi has maintained the longest-running commercial sponsorship in sailing. Bacardi Winter Series Event No.2 was also made possible by the continued support of North Sails, Centennial Bank, Shore Premier Finance, Palm Beach Yachts, Regatta Brokerage – the Brian Kamilar Team, Sail22, and Shake-A-Leg Miami.

Miami season is about to reach its crescendo. In one week, the Star Class returns to center stage as the 99th Bacardi Cup begins. Days later, the invited fleets join the action for the Bacardi Invitational Regatta, welcoming J/70s, Melges 24s, VX Ones, and Snipes to Biscayne Bay. The final act of the Miami winter campaign promises championship-level racing across generations of the sport.

The road now leads to the Bacardi Cup.

Follow the BACARDÍ Winter Series 
Web: bacardiinvitational.com 
Facebook: facebook.com/BacardiCupInvitational 
Instagram: instagram.com/bacardi_regatta

Results: bacardiregattas.sailti.com/en/default/races 
Photos: gallery.hannahleenoll.com/2026-bacardi-2/