With an action-packed Annapolis regatta in its wake, the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series shifts into its freshwater flow with Detroit and Chicago on back-to-back weekends. The event team is excited to be back at Bayview Yacht Club for what will be the big season opener for Lake St. Clair sailors.
Headlining the Detroit regatta (May 29-31) is the ORC Great Lakes Championship, currently boasting 17 entries, ranging from the biggest boat—the Farr 45 Jailbreak, hailing from Troy, Michigan, to the sleek and dialed-in Express 27 Air Force. Between these two LOA markers is an amazingly eclectic fleet that’s sure to enjoy a long-distance race on Friday before banging around the buoys for Saturday and Sunday. Not to be outdone by “the other rule,” Detroit’s PHRF entourage is equally deep and loaded with the region’s top 30 and 40 footers. PHRF racers, however, will stick to distance racing Saturday and Sunday.
On the one-design class front, the Melges 24s, which will be racing their world championship in Harbor Springs, Michigan, later this year, have invaded the Great Lakes for what will be busy summer of regattas leading up the worlds. Eighteen entries in this fleet will enjoy Bayview’s first use of the Vakaros RaceSense system.
As another regatta first, the Ensign class joins the fun to race its Region 5 Championship with several boats traveling in from Ohio and points elsewhere in Michigan. While there are only four entries on this initial gathering for the Ensigns, fleet organizers hope this year’s regatta plants the seed for a repeat championship next year. The J/35 class, which continues to grow one-by-one as boats are painstakingly restored to racing trim, will also be using the regatta for its Great Lakes Championship title. The J/111, S2 7.9, and Tartan10s will have the usual suspects providing great racing, and the rivalries of Bayview’s J/120s on “J Dock” will pick right where they left off last year with Funtech Racing and Hot Ticket battling once again. Hot Ticket got the win in 2025 on the final day and team Funtech is keen to turn the table.
Party Like It’s 1980…or 1990
Bayview YC General Manager Matt Prost has seen his share of regatta parties, as Bayview knows how to throw them, but for this year’s Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in Detroit, Prost is on mission to take this one next level.
“Get ready for one of the best weekends of the summer,” he’s telling everyone, “and this year, the Party Pass is bigger, louder, and more fun than ever.”
The regatta’s $125 Party Pass is an all-access wristband to a full weekend of food, drinks, live entertainment, and the kind of dockside atmosphere that makes Bayview regattas legendary. Whether you’re racing hard all day or you are joining friends at the club for the party afterward, this is where the fleet comes together. Included with the wristband is an all-inclusive lineup featuring Mt. Gay Rum, keg beer and wine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here’s a full breakdown from Prost of what to expect:
Friday Night – Mount Gay Rum Takeover: Friday evening features our Mount Gay Rum Cocktail Competition, where crews, bartenders, and questionable dockside “mixologists” battle for bragging rights and glory. Rumor has it bonus points may be awarded for anyone bold enough to use a paint can shaker in their presentation. And to add a new twist this year, a “secret-ingredients” table stocked by Mount Gay ambassadors will be revealed at mix time. Mount Gay Silver is the core ingredient…what happens beyond that is anyone’s guess. Only five mixing tables are available, teams are encouraged to sign up in advance here.
Prost has also kicked up the menu to give it a bit more local flair. The food lineup Friday night includes shrimp cocktail, mini club sandwiches, smoked whitefish dip and a mezze spread.
Saturday Night – Rockin’ Regatta Party Mode: Saturday night Prost turn the energy and the volume up with live music from Five Becomes West and a full-on throwback dock party. Dig deep into the sea bag and break out your best vintage gear for the Best 80s sailing shirt and outfit contest and the Best 90s sailing shirt/outfit contest. Pick your decade and own it!
And because no regatta party should end hungry, Saturday’s featured food experience will include Bayview’s Chipotle Action Station featuring build-your-own burritos and bowls.
Great racing. Strong rum drinks. Loud music. Vintage sailing shirts that should’ve stayed in the closet. This is what summer racing at Bayview Yacht Club is all about.
Sunday Night Awards: After racing, sailors and friends can saunter on up to the Detroit Slider Bar, fill a plate and enjoy the closing party with legit awards provided by Helly Hansen. There are no pickle dishes for class winners, but there is the chance to be selected as the regatta’s Caribbean Challenger, which wins a bareboat charter in the BVIs with Sunsail and a berth in the Caribbean Championship. But there’s a catch: the selected winner must be present to accept the challenge, so get your Party Passes now and join this summer’s most entertaining weekend on the Detroit River.
If you’re in the area and not racing, not to worry. All sailors and friends of are welcome to Bayview for the parties, and if you’re looking to crew, post to the Crew Board.
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