On Monday, the sailing world turns its eyes to Miami as the legendary 99th Bacardi Cup begins on the waters of Biscayne Bay. The iconic Star Class regatta once again gathers the elite of the sport, and this year’s starting line shines with SSL superstars.
Kusznierewicz and Prada Chase No. 7
Six-time champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz, captain of SSL Team Poland, and Brazil’s Bruno Prada return to defend their crown. Their streak has reshaped the modern record books. Year after year, the Bacardi Cup Trophy has been lifted high in their hands, continuing a ritual that spans nearly a century.
Yet for Kusznierewicz, the secret is not medals, it’s meaning.
“You can’t imagine how much joy I feel every moment I spend on the boat,” he shared on social media. “I sail with my friend Bruno Prada. We laugh, we learn something new every day, always searching for that extra half-knot of speed.
After racing, we sit down with our rivals at one table. We talk about life, children, travel, everything except sailing.
And the result? I have a feeling it will be good. Because the source of my success is the joy of sailing, trust in the process, and staying in top shape through a healthy lifestyle, not chasing results. I focus on building habits, not hunting outcomes.”
A Fleet of Global Titans
American sailing legend Paul Cayard continues his pursuit of the one trophy missing from his résumé. A Hall of Famer, two-time Star World Champion, and Rolex US Yachtsman of the Year, competitor of the Star Sailors League Finals in Nassau. Cayard has claimed multiple victories in the event over the years. Beyond his racing career, Cayard has been a strong supporter of SSL initiatives, including the development of the SSL Gold Cup, a national team competition inspired by football’s World Cup format. Cayard will race alongside fellow world champion, Olympian, and longtime teammate Frithjof Kleen.
The competition does not end there. Brazilian icon Robert Scheidt, captain of SSL Team Brazil, will line up with Austin Sperry. Italy’s Diego Negri, silver medalist at the SSL Gold Cup in Gran Canaria with Sergio Lambertenghi, adds further depth to a stacked fleet.
Teams from 25 nations, including the United States, Brazil, Poland, Italy, Germany, France, Australia, Argentina, and many more, have converged on Miami for what promises to be a spectacular climax to the season.
History, rivalry, friendship, and the relentless search for speed, the 99th Bacardi Cup has all the ingredients of another classic on Biscayne Bay.
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