Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

97th Bacardi Cup Day 3

by Luissa Smith 7 Mar 2024 00:37 UTC March 4-9, 2024
Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise win race 3 to lead overall after day 3 of the 97th Bacardi Cup © Martina Orsini

All change in the leaderboard after race 3 on Biscayne Bay as a race win in the bag propels Eric Doyle/Payson Infelise into the overall lead, ahead of overnight leaders and defending Bacardi Cup Champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada.

Biscayne Bay presented a different challenge today, as the lingering effects of the overnight storm transformed the race course into a bit of a cauldron. The increased 10-12 knot southerly breeze and chop added complexity to the conditions. Downwind proved particularly tricky, trying to stay in the shifting pressure and anticipate the unpredictable breeze coming down.

Sweden's Tom Lofstedt/Johan Tillander hit the start with confidence and dialled up plenty of power to lead to the first mark, with a stunning performance from the U30 team of Roman Stelzl/Pirmin Sablatnig in second, pursued by John MacCausland/Peter Sangmeister and Doyle/Infelise.

As the breeze eased, the Swedes continued to control the fleet downwind, but all change behind as John Dane III/Dave Martin edged into second, closely followed by MacCausland/Sangmeister and Doyle/Infelise. Plenty of position changes unfolded as teams opted left or right through the gate and back upwind. Always on their top game, this was the moment Doyle/Infelise made their move.

"We split with everyone at the bottom which was great, and Payson made a good call to go to the pressure and we did that and we passed the two boats that were in front of us," explained Doyle.

Looking ahead to the next three days, Doyle added, "We've won this before and we know how hard it is and we know how good these other guys are, especially Mateusz and Bruno. Yesterday we felt like we had to up our game a little bit to try and beat them and we changed to a different sail, and maybe that helped a little bit.

"We want to win, we are pushing hard, but we've sailed really well and that's the goal, to sail well and keep pushing hard and having a good time while doing it."

At the final windward mark, there were position changes aplenty behind Doyle/Infelise. Their training partners John Dane III/Dave Martin followed, with Lofstedt/Tillander and Croatia's Marin Misura/Tonko Barac holding a clear separation over the chasing fleet. The U30 partnership of Stelzl/Sablatnig were next, with Augie Diaz/Henry Boening, MacCausland/Sangmeister and then Kusznierewicz/ Prada. The challenges of the final downwind proved pivotal to the final standings.

John Dane III/Dave Martin managed to hold onto second place, which Dane credited to their strong start. He also shared his enthusiasm for returning to the Bacardi Cup, despite the added challenge of recent knee surgery.

"Having a really good start right at the committee boat with a full head of steam, we could tack on any shift whenever we wanted," said Dane. "We didn't have to worry about boats up the first beat, so that was kind of nice for a change. It's fun just having a moment in the sunshine today, up there with the young guns and the old guys. I mean if you look at who is winning, there are guys in their forties and fifties, so at seventy-three I am feeling good!"

Dane won the 2006 Bacardi Cup but has a more modest goal this year of finishing inside the top ten.

Misura/Barac overhauled Lofstedt/Tillander to finish 3rd and 4th, with both teams counting their best results so far. Diaz/Boening chipped through to finish 5th and advance to third overall on the leaderboard.

As we reach the regatta's midpoint, current form suggests the battle for victory is shaping up to be a showdown between Doyle/Infelise and Kuznierewicz/Prada. But, with three races to go anything can happen.

Roman Stelzl/Pirmin Sablatnig now hold the top position among the U30 teams and climb to 24th overall after their 9th place finish.

Provisional Results after Day 3: (top ten, 3 races)

1. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise (USA 8580) - 7 pts
2. Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Bruno Prada (POL 8559) - 11 pts
3. Augie Diaz / Henry Boening (USA 8509) - 19 pts
4. Lars Grael / Ubiratan Matos (BRA 8392) - 24 pts
5. Jørgen Schönherr / Markus Koy (DEN 8532) - 27 pts
6. John MacCausland / Peter Sangmeister (USA 8448) - 34 pts
7. John Dane III / Dave Martin (USA 8230) - 36 pts
8. Johann Spitzauer / Christian Nehammer (AUT 8529) - 38 pts
9. Piet Eckert / Frederico Melo (SUI 8575) - 38 pts
10. Will Stout / Parker Mitchell (USA 8538) - 41 pts

Find out more, including full results at bacardiinvitational.com

After racing, it was onto the mid-week Bacardi Party at Shake-A Leg Miami, where the Star teams were joined by J/70, Melges 24, Snipe, Viper 640 and VX One sailors racing the Bacardi Invitational Regatta, which gets under way tomorrow.

A special thank you to this year's event sponsors and supporters: Bacardi USA, EFG International, Quantum Sails, Nautical Ventures, Shake-A-Leg Miami, Sail 22, HATUEY®Beer, Tuuci, Termodinamica USA, Harken Derm, Team 1 Newport, SLAM, Gubinelli Wines, Jaguar Therapeutics, Drop Jolly, Hobie Eyewear, Coconut Grove Business District, Zhik, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, US Sailing Center and the City of Miami.

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted today at 5:19 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Five
Episode Five - Shane Subichin, The Boat Works - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Shane Subichin, GM at The Boat Works about his life from tinnies on Sydney Harbour to leading the team at the premier refit and maintenance yard on the Gold Coast. Posted on 6 Jun
New Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider
An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived with the upcoming debut of the all-new Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider. Posted on 5 Jun
Michael Rybovich & Sons construction updates
Progress on hulls from 84', 62' down to 42' New construction updates of 70' S/F Hull # 9, 42' S/F hull #10, 75' S/F hull #11, 84' S/F - Hull # 12. Posted on 5 Jun
A very clear video for overhead casting
Stop fly casting 10-2 and start using this method for longer casts Lyall and Nathan have spoken to me often of how to advance beyond the clock face 10-2 using the terms translation before rotation. Posted on 4 Jun
Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht - Ready to ride
Making her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht makes her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City, New Jersey – and it's more than a new model. Posted on 4 Jun
NOAA reduces Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit
The adjusted limits will take effect June 3, 2025 and extend through December 31, 2025 On May 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced adjustments to the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational anglers. Posted on 3 Jun
Delegation urges state control of red snapper
Expressing "strong support for a state-led framework to ensure science-based stewardship" South Carolina's congressional delegation, led by Congressman Russell Fry and joined by U.S. Senators, formally urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to transfer management of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery to the states. Posted on 2 Jun
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully Gearing up for her christening later this month, Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully. Posted on 2 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER