An Interview With Jose (Tito) Bacardi, 2002
By Betsy Londrigan
Sailors and spectators who have been lucky enough to attend the Bacardi Cup, know it is different. From the moment one steps foot into Bacardi territory, it feels like home away from home. The distinct balance of competitive spirit, comraderie and a great party combine as seamlessly as Roberto's Rum Punch.
The hospitable atmosphere has been attributed to the Bacardi Family. In an effort to get to know the family behind the regatta, a little history is warranted.
Bacardi & Company Ltd. was founded in the 1862 by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso, a Spanish Catalonian immigrant, in the colonial city of Santiago de Cuba. After determining that his newly invented sipping rum might prove profitable, Don Facundo and his three sons bought a small distillery in Santiago for 3,500 pesos from the man whose rum they had previously sold.
To commemorate the founding, the family planted a small coconut palm, El Coco, in front of the distillery. There, legend has it, Don Facundo found a family of fruit bats living in the rafters. Don Facundo's Wife, Amalia Lucia Victoria Moreau, suggested the bats, a Cuban symbol of good luck, would make an easily identified trademark in an era when many people could not read. So the bats stayed in the rafters and went on the Bacardi label.
The company specialized in distilling some of the world's first exquisitely light rums earning Don Facundo's family enterprise the tide of "los maestros del ron" or "the masters of rum." In 1960 the Cuban government seized the family distilleries following the revolution and Castro's ouster of General Fulgencio Batista. It was at this time that then 14 year old Jose ("Tito") Argamasilla Bacardi, the Vice-President of Public Relations for Bacardi, USA, and his family escaped to the United States.
During the 2002 Bacardi Cup and just prior to the last race, the Star Class editor had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Mr. Bacardi about the family's continued interest in and support of the Star Class. While it would be natural to be a little nervous about properly "handling" a Star Class icon, a few minutes into the interview, status was forgotten and an enormously warm, committed and kind character was revealed in Mr. Bacardi.
This year saw the Bacardi Cup Trophy awarded for the 75th time since its origin in Havana, Cuba in 1927. It is the only Cuban-born sporting event that survives today in the United States. The trophy was originated by one of Mr. Bacardi's uncles because his cousin, Charles de Cardenas, was a Star sailor. When the Bacardi family moved to Miami, the Bacardi Cup Series moved with them. Tito Bacardi credits James "Ding" Schoonmaker with making the transition work.
"Ding is my favorite Star sailor, not just because he is a great sailor, (you know, he won the Bacardi Cup in Havana), but he is a good friend. Ding is my hero. He helped organize this event from the beginning. He connected us with the Coral Reef Yacht Club and worked all the time to make the event a success. It wouldn't have happened without him."
As the Vice-President for Public Relations for Bacardi USA, organizing the Bacardi Cup is part of Tito's official duties. Even so, "I only get to see maybe one or two races if I'm lucky," he admitted. "Even though it is part of my job, I can't say to the others, 'Oh, I have to go to the Yacht Club now ... to work!' I don't think they would like that too much!"
When asked why he thinks this event is so successful and draws such a large international contingency year after year, Mr. Bacardi shared his thoughts. "I think the sailors like coming here because we treat them like family. When they're here, they are part of the Bacardi Family. We take care of them. Yes, we pay for many things; certainly that is nice for them. But, it's more than that. It is the family feeling that makes Bacardi Cup so special."
Tito takes pride in the international element of the regatta and is very pleased that Bacardi Cup has been a ranking event. So many sailors come back year after year and make it part of their calendar. "Bacardi Cup will go on forever. We love this event."
While there are many special aspects to the Bacardi Cup Regatta, there is one tradition Mr. Bacardi enjoys considerably. Each year, following the last race, I throw a bottle of Bacardi to the winners. Most times, they miss! They are tired, the boats are moving. Sometimes, I throw 6-7 bottles until they catch it. This year, I hope Mark and Magnus will catch it on the first throw!"
The Coral Reef Yacht Club has been home to the Bacardi Cup since 1962, but Bacard"s dream "is to take the Bacardi Cup back to Havana when Cuba is free. I don't know when that will happen. Soon, I hope. We've been waiting for 43 years. That is my dream ... Bacardi Cup in a free Cuba." The Star sailors will happily follow.
