2026 Bacardi Winter Series Event 1 concludes - New champions crowned
by Hannah Lee Noll 26 Jan 13:29 GMT
January 23-25, 2026
Biscayne Bay painted with nearly 60 Melges 24s and J/70s - Bacardi Winter Series 2026 © Hannah Lee Noll
Two new names are etched into the Bacardi winners circle: Harry Melges IV and Bruce Golison topped fleets totaling nearly 60 teams to earn their victories at Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 1 on Biscayne Bay.
North American Champs crowned
Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 1, held January 23-25 in Miami, also served as the 2026 Melges 24 North American Championship. Harry Melges IV and his Zenda Express team of Allan Terhune, Ripley Shelley, Will Huerth, and Colleen O'Brien delivered a steady climb through the 28-boat fleet to take the title. After opening the regatta with a tenth, the team found their rhythm and closed it out in style with two race wins on the final day.
It's a new roster for the Zenda squad, including Terhune, new co-owner of Melges Performance Sailboats.
"It was tight all the way through," said Melges. "It came down to the final race, and winning that last one was pretty special. It's a new team, but they sailed really well together, and I'm excited about where it's heading. There's no better place to start the season than Miami with Bacardi. Winning in a fleet this strong means a lot."
The win sends a strong early-season signal with the Melges 24 World Championship returning to the United States later this year. Will Zenda Express be there? "Definitely."
Eddie Gary made his Melges 24 debut with his new boat, Troublemaker, and earned top Corinthian honors.
1. Harry Melges's Zenda Express
2. Drew Freides's Pacific Yankee
3. Bora Gulari's Mavi
4. Christian Schwoerer's Nika
5. Geoff Fargo's Sentinel
J/70 Season Starts Strong
In the J/70 fleet, Bruce Golison and his Midlife Crisis team claimed their first Bacardi Winter Series victory after years of podium finishes. The team won four of eight races to secure the overall win.
This victory marked a milestone for Golison, who credited team chemistry and calm decision-making. Golison, Erik Shampain, and Jeff Reynolds have sailed together for nine years, with 49er Olympic medalist Ian Barrows joining more recently. "On our boat, we never change our tone of voice," said Golison. "You can't tell if we're winning or losing. We just focus on the next decision."
Marina Lamphier's BeatMachine took top Corinthian honors by a one point margin over Alec Cutler's Hedgehog. Ava Wilson's Convergence won top Mixed-Plus, and Richard Werdiger claimed top One-Pro.
1. Bruce Golison's Midlife Crisis
2. David Jannetti's Too Odd
3. John Heaton's Empeiria
4. Doug Rastello's Good to Go
5. Margaret McKillen's Magatron
Grove Life
"Coconut Grove is one of our favorite places in the world to sail," Golison added. "It's hard to beat Miami sailing with Bacardi running the show."
The Bacardi Winter Series continues to grow, with an additional ten teams competing this year. Sailors raced on two race courses and enjoyed warm, 75-degree days while much of the country was snowed in.
Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 2 continues February 20-22, as the season builds toward the 99th Bacardi Cup.
Magic happens here
The Bacardi Winter Series is supported by partners who make this regatta what it is. BACARDÍ's 99-year legacy in sailing remains unparalleled, anchoring the event with its signature hospitality each day.
North Sails supported teams with weather briefings, post-race debriefs, and on-site sail service, while Centennial Bank, Regatta Brokerage - the Brian Kamilar Team, Shore Premier Finance, and Palm Beach Yachts enhanced the sailor experience. The event is hosted at Shake-A-Leg Miami with race management by Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Sail22.
Full Results
Follow the BACARDI Winter Series