In the J/70 fleet, Travis Odenbach and his team on Honey Badger ended the day where they started in 1st overall. “First of all, a huge congratulations to the all the winners of the Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta. Enjoy your victories, they were well earned,” commented Eddie Cutillas of Bacardi USA. “It has been a fantastic week of racing. Whilst COVID has been a tremendous challenge for us all over the past year, Bacardi is very proud that we have been able to look forwards, keep our eyes on the prize and deliver this annual gem of a regatta in a safe manner. Thank you to everyone for following our strict protocols and thank you to the sailors who have been able to navigate the COVID restrictions and join us here in Miami. As the Bacardi Representative of the Bacardi Cup and Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta, I can confirm we will be back stronger than ever in 2022. We hope to see you all here next year.” The wind steadily dropped throughout the week and racing unfolded Sunday in a lighter 6-10 knot breeze and fairly flat water across the two Biscayne Bay race courses. On any given day, anything can happen out on Biscayne Bay, with the elements bouncing around you, and the lighter breeze made the race track even more unpredictable. Going into the Sunday’s opening race 7, it was all to lose for series leader Travis Odenbach (USA) on Honey Badger. Two-time Bacardi Invitational Regatta winner Joel Ronning (USA) on Catapult was ahead by the windward mark of race 7 with Grand Cayman’s Powerplay driven by Peter Cunningham in second. Whilst Ronning continued to extend, series leader Honey Badger opted to split at the leeward gate and were rewarded by a step up to second overall, with Powerplay dropping back to fourth, as Ryan McKillen and company on Surge advanced to finish in third. Onto race 8 and Honey Badger had assured themselves of first or second overall with their fourth-place finish. Elsewhere, the race 8 rivalry was between Surge, who could still step up to oust the leader, but at the same time needed to hold off Catapult who might seize second. The team on Surge did what they needed to win race 8, with Catapult finishing back in ninth. The battle extended into the final race 9. Honey Badger kept out front to win race 9 and safely secure the overall title and a maiden J/70 win for Odenbach at the Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta. Surge held their pace to finish fourth and repeat last year’s second overall, with Catapult crossing in eighth to hold onto third and achieve a step up from their fourth place overall in 2020. Finishing as top placed Corinthian team in 19th overall were Zachary Segal/Ashton Hamerlin/Enrique Quintero/Blake Cabassa (USA). For complete event details, visit https://bacardiinvitational.com/.