J/Teams Ready for Helly Hansen NOOD Regatta Detroit
(Detroit, MI)- 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. The regatta features one-design classes for J/111s, J/35s, and J/120s. Plus, PHRF Offshore divisions.
J/111 Class
An enthusiastic fleet of a half-dozen J/111s are looking forward to their weekend of racing. Those teams include Kevin & Seth Young’s BLACK SEAL, Bill Williams’s CHROMA, James Cooper’s FREEDOM, Stephen Polk’s GENTOO, Mary Symonds’s PTERODACTYL, and Ed Kriese’s WILDCAT.
J/35 Class
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. Eight teams will be vying for that title, including Bill Wildner’s infamous MR BILL’S WILD RIDE, Gary Shoemaker’s HONOR ROLL, Mike Welch’s FALCON, and Amie Ross’s BLACKHAWK.
J/120 Class
The rivalries of Bayview’s J/120s on “J Dock” will pick right where they left off last year, with Charlie Hess’s FUNTECH Racing and Mike & Bob Kirkman’s HOT TICKET battling once again. HOT TICKET got the win in 2025 on the final day, and team FUNTECH is keen to turn the tables. Sure to mix it up with those two hot teams are podium contenders like Robert Eger’s CALIFORNIA GIRL and John Harvey’s SLEEPING TIGER.
PHRF A Division
This eight-boat fleet features two J/crews: Tim & Cathy McGuire’s J/112E ELEVATION and Greg Thomas’s J/130 PENDRAGON.
PHRF B Division
The Lone Ranger from the J/stable in this ten-boat fleet will be Mark Denuyl’s J/105 GOOD LOOKIN.
Party Like It’s 1999 (according to the artist Prince)!
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 a mission to take this one to the 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.
Saturday Night – Rockin’ Regatta Party Mode: Saturday night, Prost turns 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. Good rum drinks. Awesome music. Vintage sailing shirts that should’ve stayed in the closet. This is what summer racing at Bayview Yacht Club is all about.
For Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta scores
https://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/50502
For more Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta information
https://www.sailingworld.com/regatta-series-detroit/