Amazing racing at Bayview One-Design Regatta

Amazing racing at Bayview One-Design Regatta © Bayview Yacht Club

No question, big boat one-design racing is alive and healthy in the greater Detroit area.

The Bayview Yacht Club and its legions of volunteers rolled out the red carpet for the assembled masses of passionate sailors for this year's Bayview One-Design Regatta. They were rewarded with two great days of sailing and eight races for each of the J/35, J/111, and J/120 one-design classes.

J/35 Class
Not surprisingly, the famous J/35 racer Bill Wildner and his infamous team on MR BILL'S WILD RIDE, a multiple Mac Race winner as well as J/35 Nationals winner, sailed a solid, consistent series to post all podium finishes to finish with 16 pts and walk off with the class title, yet again. Giving them a strong run for the roses was Mike Welch's FALCON, finishing just two points in arrears with 18 pts to secure the silver medal. Rounding out the podium in third was Denny Meagher's FILTHY McGYVER, closing strongly in the last three races with a 1-3-1 to bypass long-time competitor- Dean Fitzpatrick's HONOR ROLL.

J/111 Class
The half-dozen boats sailing in the J/111 class were again treated to a good'ole fashioned "schooling", as had happened last year when Jeff Davis' SHAMROCK won with all bullets. This year it was George Edward Kriese's WILDCAT that assumed that same role and won 7 of 8 races to win with 9 pts total. Second, went to a rapidly improving team on the J/111 national circuit- Seth & Kevin Young's BLACK SEAL. This family team posted all podium finishes, winning the final race to add to their five 2nds and two 3rds for 17 pts. Rounding out the podium was Brad Kimmel & Steve Young's DIABLO, remarkably also scoring all podium finishes with two 2nds and six 3rds for 22 pts.

J/120 Class
Like their stablemates, the J/120s saw one of their brethren get their act together and simply sail off with class honors. This time around, it was Mike & Bob Kirkman's HOT TICKET that won 5 races on their way to a 16 pts dominating win. Behind them, it was another story. Three boats battled for eight races to determine the outcome of who would stand on the final two steps on the podium- Charlie Hess' FUNTECH RACING, Mike Fozo & Robin Kendrick's PROOF, and Greg Baker's KAIROS. In the end, the last two races had a dramatic impact on who beat whom. With a 7-3, Hess' FUNTECH RACING earned the silver with 25 pts, followed by the Fozo/Kendrick duo on PROOF scoring an 8-7 and having to settle for the bronze with 28 pts.

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