Results for 2013 Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race

by David Stoyka on 24 Aug 2013 Bayview Yacht Club is pleased to announce the winners, in each class, of the 2013 Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race. The announcement was made by 2013 Commodore Kent M. Colpaert, and 2013 Committee Race Chairman, Carl Bihlmeyer.

'This was another banner year for the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race and for all the sailors and boats,' said Colpaert. 'The racing was exceptionally fast for everyone, not just the big boats. Strong winds the first day made for some big waves that rocked the crews. Once we arrived to Mackinac all was forgotten and the party was amazing.'

The official awards presentation, which includes distribution of plaques, pendants and trophies for the winners, will take place during a private awards ceremony on September 21, at Bayview Yacht Club.

As announced on Mackinac Island, the class winners for the 2013 Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race are as follows:

Cove Island
Division I - Great Lakes 70's Stripes
Division I - PHRF A –Talisman
Division I - PHRF B - Courtesan
Division I - PHRF C - Kashmir
Division I - J120 - Sledge Hammer
Division V - Multihull - Cheeky

Shore Course
Division II - Turbo Class - Equation
Division II - PHRF D - Karma Police
Division II - PHRF E - Aristeia
Division II - PHRF F - Shenanigan
Division II - PHRF G - Eliminator
Division II - PHRF H - Sleeping Tiger

Shore Course - Division II Overall - Equation
Sports Challenge - Detroit Lions - PHRF F – Shenanigan

Shore Course - Division II - One Design Classes - NA 40 Fast Tango, Level 35 Mr. Bill's Wild Ride, Level 126 Shape, J105 Pterodactyl, C&C 35 Mystery, Beneteau 36.7Legend
Shore Course - Division IV - Double Handed - Patriot
Shore Course - Division III - Cruising Class A - Mostly Harmless,
Cruising Class B - Knot Yours Too
Cruising C - Yare
Shore Course - Division III - Cruising - Mostly Harmless

On the day of the awards ceremony, each class winner is invited to participate in the Mackinac Race Champion of Champions Regatta. Participants compete in the Bayview’s fleet of Ultimate 20 club boats on the Detroit River in front of Bayview Yacht Club.

Il Mostro was first boat the finish the race, breaking the 63-year old course record by crossing the finish line 19-hours, 11-minutes, and 31-seconds after it left Port Huron. The record was previously held by Equation.

'It was amazing to witness Il Mostro sail the course in record time. For the captain and crew to shatter the record, which has been in place since 1950, by more than six and half hours was a truly remarkable to see,' said Bihlmeyer.

Additionally, Bayview Yacht Club welcomed four new sailors to the Society of Grand Rams, sailors who have completed 50 Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Races. They include Commodore Dean Balcirak, Commodore John Pappas, John Tipp and Fred Kreger.

Bihlmeyer added, 'As much as we love to see the next generation of sailors on the water each year, we value the experience of our grand old sailors and to welcome four new Grand Rams was a wonderful experience for everyone.'

George Hendrie and Lee Smith achieved two other major accomplishments this year with the completion of their 65th and 60th races, respectively.

Each year, Bayview Yacht Club receives tremendous support from its sponsor and partners and this year was no exception. Kalamazoo-based Bell’s Brewery, announced a two-year extension to remain title sponsor through 2016. Acura cars, Soaring Eagle Casino, Grand Hotel, Shepler’s, Doyle’s Sails, Aitken-Ormond Agency, Frankenmuth Insurance, Legal Copy Services and Barefoot Winery have all helped to add stability to the race.

'A special thanks goes out to the Bayview Yacht Club Race Committee, all the volunteers in Port Huron and on Mackinac Island, and the racer’s families, friends and the Bayview Yacht Club staff,' said Bayview YC website