Light air chess match, heavy air finale: Bacardi Winter Series Event No.2 concludes
by Hannah Lee Noll 23 Feb 02:02 GMT
February 20-22, 2026
David Jannetti's Two Odd and Sandy Askew's Flying Jenny 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.
Melges 24
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."
The final race defined the event: Askew and Bora Gulari began the race tied for the overall lead, with Harry Melges 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. Stuart Simpson's Team Barbarians claims the Corinthian trophy.
J/70
David Jannetti's Two Odd dominated the regatta, winning the first six races in a row. They carried a picket fence for two full days.
Jannetti, sailing with Victor Diaz de Leon, Willem van Waay, and Andy Horton, delivered a clinical performance in the light air and sealed the title before the final race even began.
"We're super happy we pulled it off," said Diaz de Leon. "There are so many great sailors in this fleet, so to make it happen feels really special. We've worked hard on refining our communication on board, focusing on each person's job and sticking to our process. The light air suited us, we felt really fast. But today was more challenging, and that just shows us where we can keep improving. We started with six bullets, but we didn't change anything. We kept the same plan, the same mindset. Now we're looking forward to the next one, the Bacardi Invitational."
Alec Cutler's Hedgehog delivered a standout performance and especially shined when the breeze built. The J/70 Corinthian World Champions not only won the Corinthian division by more than 50 points, but also secured second overall with Charles Pucciariello, Brad Rodi, and new tactician Keith Davids - all Navy brothers. Paul Green, James Prendergast, and Joel Ronning rounded out the top five. Ronning claimed top Mixed-Plus honors. Guy Tawney secured the One-Pro title.
Biscayne Bay once again proved why Miami in February is unmatched.
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.
What's Next: the 99th Bacardi Cup & Bacardi Invitational Regatta
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.
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