Merriman-Trinter Win BACARDI Cup as BACARDI Miami Sailing Week Concludes with Star, Viper, Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24 Classes All Successfully Competing

MIAMI, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Headlining the inaugural BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, the 83rd annual BACARDI Cup Star Class regatta hosted world-class sailors from dozens of countries. The week of sailing also included new classes competing like the Melges 20 and Melges 24, as well as Viper and J/24 classes.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100316/LA71553)

"We would like to thank the world class competitors coming from around the globe competing as they honor one of sailing's grandest traditions," comments BACARDI Miami Sailing Week Chair Gabriele Pedone. "With the generous support of BACARDI, we were pleased to see this eighty-three year old legacy continue as we also started a new tradition with the first ever BACARDI Miami Sailing Week."

American Skipper Rick Merriman and Crew Phil Trinter took the victory on the final day of Star Class sailing, on March 13th, taking home their first BACARDI Cup win. With gusty wind conditions puffing up to 24 knots on a sunny day, at least five Star Class masts were snapped navigating strong winds. With Merriman-Trinter taking the win, the end of the day found Irish Skipper Peter O'Leary second overall, and American Skipper Andy Horton and Crew James Lyne taking third through a consistent weeklong run marked by solid finishes in the top ten.

With wind becoming an increasing concern in the afternoon, the decision was made to not hold an additional Star Class race to make-up Thursday's cancellation due to windy weather, and in its final day, the BACARDI Cup settled for five instead of six total sessions.

"The BACARDI Cup has always been one of the most prestigious honors in sailing, and winning today is huge," comments winning Star Class Skipper Merriman. "You look at the list on the Trofeo BACARDI and it is an amazing group of competitors."

In Melges 20 news, Skipper Jeff Eckland took his boat "Star" to first overall, sailing in a fifteen-boat field, while Skipper Donald Wilson triumphed in the Melges 24 in his ship "Convexity", among nine other boats. In the twenty-boat Viper class, American Skipper Lee Shuckerow won the Viper North American Championship Saturday. Finally, the J/24 standings were topped by American Skipper Trish Walker in Scouts' Pride in the six-boat competition.

For more information on BACARDI Miami Sailing Week, please visit www.miamisailingweek.com and www.BacardiCup.com

SOURCE BACARDI

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