Race Track Mastery Unleashed at Bacardi as Gulari Seizes Control
Miami, January 27, 2024 - Day two of three at the Bacardi Winter Series Event 2 saw sailing mastery unleashed in spectacular sailing conditions on Biscayne Bay.
Plenty of race track fluidity in the three races as the puffy breeze upped the tempo, with Bora Gulari emerging to take control of the leaderboard. Gulari’s Kingspoke maintained their scorecard of top-five finishes and advance to first overall.
The race track was classic Miami, with waves and breeze of 15-18 knots. Biscayne Bay provided all its characteristic nuances and challenges for the fifty-six teams, with the southerly breeze offering plenty of strategic opportunities to make big gains.
Tomorrow, Sunday’s three-race date with destiny kicks off at 1100 hours.
All change in the Melges 24, with Bora Gulari’s Kingspoke scoring 4,1,2 to claim pole position from yesterday’s leader ‘Melgina’.
Paolo Brescia and his team on Melgina couldn’t revive their opening day momentum and slip to 6th overall.
There is no doubting Gulari’s place amongst the best, but he put credit elsewhere, saying, “My team is the best is my opinion. They drive me round the racecourse, and you know, when we get a little bit free, we fly.
When asked what made the difference today, Gulari humbly commented, “I am sure we got lucky. One of my friends said we are not that fast, and we are just lucky, so maybe that’s it. I don’t know!”
Sentinel seized the first win of the day, with Alec Andreson stepping in for owner and usual driver Geoff Fargo. They followed up with scores of 3,3 and move into second overall.
Bruce Ayres’ team on Monsoon edges into third place overall. This well-knit crew has been together a long time, with just one change for this event. Pearl Lattanzi joins as long-standing teammate Chelsea Simms takes a hiatus. Chelsea is expecting a future ‘Monsooner’ and is here cheering the team on from the sidelines.
A memorable moment for Stuart Simpson, as at one point his Corinthian Team Barbarians led race 2, before settling for an 8th place finish.
Text Credit: Luissa Smith
Photo Credits: Hannah Lee Noll
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