National Press Release

Russia and Hungary to Compete in 2008 Bacardi Cup

MIAMI, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ –For the first time in its 81-year history, the legendary BACARDI Cup Star Class Regatta will have teams from both Russian and Hungary in its fleet. Early registrants for the six-day race series beginning on March 2 include World Champions and Olympic medalists from 26 countries.

Five BACARDI Cup champions are in the early sign-up: defending champion Hamish Pepper of New Zealand, John Dane who will represent the USA in the 2008 Olympic Games, Afonso Domingos of Portugal, seven-time champion and Olympian Mark Reynolds of California, and two-time champion and Olympian Peter Bromby of Bermuda.

“The Bacardi Cup has through the years built its reputation as an Olympic tune-up event attracting the best Star sailors in the world,” said Craig Prandini, event chairman, “and the Florida weather is a huge bonus. We already have 107 boats registered and we are expecting some heavy competition on Biscayne Bay.”

What started out in 1927 as a three-day event with less than 10 boats in Havana, Cuba, now attracts more than 200 sailors each year and remains one of the few sporting events in which weekend enthusiasts have the opportunity to compete head on with Olympian and World Champion athletes.

Already registered are 35 teams from USA, 11 teams from Germany, 10 from Italy, seven from Brazil, six from Switzerland, five from Argentina, three from both Austria and Russia, and two from both Chile and Ukraine. Those countries fielding one team each so far include Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Bermuda, Hungary, Netherlands, Finland, Bermuda, Ireland, Bahamas, Great Britain and Canada.

The 2008 BACARDI Cup Regatta will be sailed March 2 through March 7. It is co-hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club and the U.S. Sailing Center, both based in Coconut Grove, and sponsored in full by Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

All participants in the BACARDI Cup compete aboard 22-foot Star class sloops. Race teams comprise two members: a skipper and crew. Participants sail one race per day from Sunday through Friday on an approximately 10.5-mile course in Biscayne Bay. The six daily races of the Cup will each proclaim a winner, with the overall top winning team demonstrating the best performance in five of these six races.

Follow the action at www.BacardiCup.com where daily photos, video, articles and results will be posted.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI(R) Rum, the top-selling rum worldwide, GREY GOOSE(R) Vodka, MARTINI & ROSSI(R) Vermouth, Asti and Prosecco, DEWAR’S(R) Blended Scotch Whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) Gin, CAZADORES(R) Tequila, and other new and emerging premium brands.

SOURCE Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Additional sources about Bacardi:
Bacardi Limited (Bacardi) is a private company which specializes in the manufacture, development and distribution of spirits. It is the world’s largest manufacturers of spirits.
Bacardi Global Brands Limited is registered in England & Wales.
Bacardi is also featured on YouTube.

Other Sailing News:

According to Sail World, “Dr. Laura Schlessinger has purchased hull number 80 and is scheduled to compete for her first time on the new boat. Dr. Laura is no stranger to mixing it up in a tough fleet though.”