VX One Shines at 2026 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta
March 6, 2025 – Miami, FL, USA – Biscayne Bay buzzed with excitement as over 200 boats, with 600 sailors from 24 nations competed in the prestigious Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta. This flagship Miami sailing event featured top fleets including the VX One, Melges 24, J/70, Snipe, Viper 40, and Star, being raced by top international sailing talent.
VX One Class: World-Class Competition and Perfect Conditions
Among the standout fleets was the VX One, boasting 27 high-performance boats, from 6 nations. Biscayne Bay delivered the signature Miami sailing experience, with a consistent easterly breeze ranging from 15 to 18 knots, warm sunshine, and steady seas. These ideal conditions also provided a valuable preview for the inaugural VX One World Championships, set to take place in Miami in 2027.
Two-time Bacardi champions Christopher Alexander, Grace Howie, and Ricky Welch returned for their third shot at the title, making sailing history by clinching victory once again, sailing Counterproductive #400,
Chris Alexander, now a five-time Bacardi champion, described the regatta as “the best conditions of any regatta I’ve ever sailed,” after his team’s eight-race winning streak.
Congratulations also go to runners-up Timothy Pitts, Eric Cusin, and Abby Brown, as well as third-place finishers Evan Hoffman and Jeff Eiber, for their outstanding performances.
Another standout at this regatta was having Naomi Sterlingsdottir, from Team Aurora, win the Bicardi’s Rising Star Award.
VX One Fleet Highlights Diversity and Mixed Teams
A special highlight of this year’s regatta was the impressive number of mixed-gender teams in the VX One fleet. Nearly half the competitors fielded crews comprised of both men and women, underlining the VX One’s reputation as a versatile and accessible racing class for all sailors. This was also highlighted
Photography credit – 2026 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta, Anna Suslova
For more global sailing news and event coverage, keep following our blog to stay updated on the road to the VX One World Championships 2027 or check out the VX One International Class Association.
