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Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series – Detroit

May 31 – June 2, 2024   •  Hosted by the Bayview Yacht Club  

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May 31 – June 2, 2024

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Published on March 26th, 2015 | by Editor

Bayview Yacht Club’s 100-Year Milestone

Published on March 26th, 2015 by Editor -->

Ten years after it was founded in Detroit, Michigan, the Bayview Yacht Club held its first Bayview Mackinac Race with only 12 canvas-sailed wooden boats competing. The year was 1925, and much of the fleet never made it to the finish line off Mackinac Island.

But not to worry, as the club persisted in nurturing this Great Lakes distance race into the extraordinary destination sailing experience it is today, with hundreds of boats and thousands of competitors from the Midwest and beyond converging on Lake Huron for the start and celebrating their finish, more than 200 miles later, in the grandest of style on Mackinac Island.

As easy as it is to measure a sailing organization’s success by such a remarkable achievement as the Bayview Mackinac Race (now famously sponsored by Bell’s Beer), the reality is that the scale and distinctiveness of this event, due for its 91st annual running this July, is merely a microcosm of the larger world of its host Bayview Yacht Club, which in 2015 joins the heralded ranks of yacht clubs with a 100-year history.

“In 1915, at the hands of four gentlemen, a small yacht club took shape in a three-story tin boathouse on Motor Boat Lane,” said Commodore Hanson Bratton. “Now, in its Centennial year, Bayview Yacht Club has over 1,000 members, including world-renowned racers and leaders in the sport, and a 5,000 square foot ‘Shrine of Nautical Culture’ as its clubhouse on Clairpointe Street (no. 100 for those who like coincidences), just minutes from downtown Detroit.”

The “View” in Bayview is from the edge of the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake St. Clair and commands a sweeping panorama of islands, the cityscape of Detroit and the shore of nearby Canada. The club itself is one for all seasons: legendary for the sailing scene that sets the standard in Michigan, an acclaimed junior sailing program and regattas – both one-off and re-occurring like the Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race – that cement its national stature and continually draw devoted members as well as participants.

Among those carrying the torch for Bayview Yacht Club as he sails the world is member Stu Argo, Jr. “I’ve been involved with seven America’s Cup teams and locally with four Canada’s Cup teams, and I’ve been fortunate to win at least one of each of those,” he said. “Through the junior sailing program here and then in bigger boats on Saturday and in Mackinac races, you learn how to do things right. It’s the character of people around here to teach you the right way to do things.”

In many ways, Argo’s thoughts reflect the fortitude of the club’s founders and followers in preserving the club’s basic tenants, which as written in its history books are “development of sailors; preservation of the finest traditions of the sea; continuance of that finer class of sportsmanship, which seems born largely of the sea and sea-minded; and development of sailing vessels, which add fresh glory to the most daring and romantic of all sports.”

Practicing what it preaches, Bayview Yacht Club won the Canada’s Cup – a cross-border match racing challenge first held in 1896 and with a format similar to the America’s Cup – four times (1972, 1975, 1988 and 1994) and is unmatched in being either the challenger or defender over eight consecutive Canada’s Cup competitions. It was one of the first yacht clubs to create a women’s invitational regatta, and now its Detroit Cup is a revered Category 2 Match Racing event that hosts champion women sailors from around the world, while its point-to-point WOW (Women on the Water) Regatta is in its 11th year. After 19 years of hosting the NOOD Regatta, Bayview Yacht took over the reins of that successful event to run it (for the fourth time this year) as the Bayview One-Design Regatta. And as expected, the club hosts a full slate of club, local and regional events, including a blessing of its fleet in early June.

Fred Kreger, who has been a BYC member since 1964, epitomizes what being a sailor at Bayview Yacht Club means. “I race two to three times week, and I’m at the club five days a week in the summertime. If there’s a race I do it.”

Now in his 90s, he has won the Bayview Mackinac Race 15-18 times and recalled sailing with Henry Burkard’s famously successful Meteor, a 32 footer, for 27 years. “The first 10 years we sailed, we came back with a flag (for first, second or third) from each of the Macs.” Kreger also competed aboard a Formula 60 trimaran, a 50 footer, an 80 footer and a 36 footer during his Mac career. “After my 50th time (2001), I skipped the next year, but then I decided to go back because it was no fun to stop. I don’t know why I stopped.”

Impressively, Kreger has a total of 62 Bayview Mackinac Races and 46 Chicago Mackinac Races (another popular distance race held on Lake Michigan) under his sailing belt, making him one of only 32 “Double Old Goats” (completing 25 or more of each of the races) and, more scarce, one of 13 “Grand Rams” (completing 50 or more Bayview Macs).

“There’s a lot of track; I have no idea how much I’ve run,” he said jokingly before nonchalantly adding that he also has been with four Canada’s Cup campaigns, completed 24 SORCs and currently handles foredeck aboard the Beneteau 36.7 Grizzly.

“The club hasn’t changed much over the years; like any place it’s the people that make it special,” said Kreger. “Bayview is the sailing club around here, so if you are going to sail, this is where you have to sail from. Our 100th anniversary is a great occasion for us, and we’re looking forward to another 100 years.”

Additional information: www.byc.com

Bayview Yacht Club will host the following major regattas in 2015 4th Annual Bayview One Design Regatta – May 28-31 91st Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race –July 18 start 11th Annual Women on the Water (WOW) Regatta –July 31 – August 1 Tartan Ten North American Championship –August 13 – 16 Detroit Cup Category 2 Match Racing event in BYC Ultimate 20s –August 27 – 30 Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championships –September 1-13

Tags: Bayview Yacht Club

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// Sailing is the focus at Bayview Yacht Club The reason sailors join Bayview Yacht Club differs for each member. For some its the camaraderie, for others it may be the restaurant or its location on the banks of the Detroit River. Most agree, though, that it's the club's rigorous focus on sailing that sets Bayview apart from other clubs. For Lynn Kotwicki, it was the club's legacy of racing champions. "I knew the history, I knew the reputation. I knew the America's Cup sailors and sailors across a number of classes that were members," says Kotwicki of Royal Oak, who became a member in the early 2000s. A competitive sailor, she grew up around powerboats, but focused on sailing around age 10. Kotwicki developed the yearly Women on Water regatta at Bayview in an effort to draw more women to the sport. She says Bayview is known globally because members like herself travel the world's waterways leaving behind the club's flag, known as a burgee. "When I compete, whether it's in Portugal, Brazil or Sweden, or wherever, I always take the burgee and leave it there at that club. It's one of those things that ties you to home, but then again it makes notoriety for the club around the world, as well." This year, Bayview celebrates 100 years in Detroit. The six-acre club at 100 Clairpointe, off East Jefferson, offers members access to boat wells, banquet facilities, a bar and restaurant and plenty of social activities. For all the stereotypes that may be associated with yacht clubs — exclusivity, old money, polo shirts — Commodore Hanson Bratton says Bayview aims to be inclusive and welcomes anyone interested in the sport of sailing. "Bayview, as far as private clubs go, has a pretty narrow focus in terms of sailing," says Bratton, who will serve as commodore for one year, per tradition. "We don't have a lot of powerboats here ... we don't have a swimming pool, we don't have racquet courts and all that, so a lot of it is truly focused on sailing." Bayview hosts regattas regularly. Besides a Thursday night series, the annual Summer Match Racing Invitational will take place this weekend, and, later this summer, the yacht club will host the Detroit Cup Aug. 27-30. The international sailing competition — which partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit — is spectator-friendly and has onsite commentary to add to the excitement of competition. Bayview is best known for creating the annual Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race, which began in 1925. Frank Kern, a member since 1996, has collected extensive history on the race. Kern says when Bayview opened, there were only six members. Today there are around 1,000. "Bayview started 100 years ago in 1915 and it was literally a fishing shack on motor boat row, which today is the boat basin owned by Gregory Marina (two miles west of Bayview)," Kern says. One of the most popular aspects of Bayview in terms of boating is the adult and youth sailing programs, where people of almost any age can learn the basics of the sport. The Junior Sailing Program is open to youths ages 8-18 and offers a two-week "Learn to Sail" program ($450) or a summer-long program ($1,150). Sailors are not required to be members of BYC, nor do they need to own a boat; they just need some close-toed shoes, a life vest and sun block. Jessica Dodge of Grosse Pointe Park started her fourth summer in the sailing class last week. "When I came in, I didn't even like sailing, but I love it so much now," says Dodge, who will be a freshman at Grosse Pointe South High School after her summer on the water. "The community is so nice and everyone is really helpful. I've learned so much about sailing. They teach you everything." "And it's not just sailing; we play games and you make a lot of friends." The final youth sailing class begins Monday, adult classes are under way, and a second wave of the program starts in mid-July. Bridget Nutter joined Bayview as a junior member of the sailing program in 1997. She said Bayview offers a great way to make lifelong connections. "I grew up in the junior sailing program and I was lucky enough to meet a lot of people who are still some of my closest friends today," says Nutter of Grosse Pointe Park. "We've always been a club that prioritizes racing over anything else, although the social aspect is a close second. You can walk into the bar almost any time and see someone dressed up for work talking to another member covered in paint, and they're both equally at home because the love of the sport is what brought them in the door." In addition to beginning sailors, Bayview also is home to champions, as demonstrated by the many shelves stocked with trophies throughout the club. Bayview even supports Olympic sailors. Two Olympic sailing teams — Bora Gulari and Solvig Sayre, and Alex Hume and Matt Graham — are working with the club to compete in the 2016 summer games. Bratton stresses that while it can be costly to maintain and house a big boat, sailing can be for people in all economic situations. "People think that it's a rich man's sport. The fact of the matter is that there are people that have money here and lot of what happens requires that financial support — owning a big boat — but people that don't have a lot of money also are very much welcome here and are needed to support sailing," Bratton says. "All these boats need people to crew, and everybody here is willing to take on somebody and teach them what to do, and not even in the adult sailing program, just one of the regular boats that go out, we'll take them out and teach them how to sail and see if they're interested in it. Eventually, if they think they can become members, they do, but there's no obligation to become a member." [email protected] twitter.com/melodybaetens Bayview Yacht Club 100 Clairpointe, Detroit (313) 822-1853 Clubhouse summer hours: 3-10 p.m. Mondays; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sundays. Membership: Adults ages 35 and older: $2,500 initiation fee, plus $145 monthly dues. Lower rates available for ages 25-35. Bayview Yacht Club is seeking new members, especially younger ones. Adult Sailing: This year's remaining seven-week programs runs July 28-Sept. 1 and July 29-Sept. 2; orientation on July 23. Junior Sailing: The remaining two-week Learn to Sail program will start Monday. Visit byc.com to download applications.      . 2000-2024   •   108 IMAGES 2018 BYC North Channel Regatta 2018 BYC North Channel Regatta WOW Regatta 2018 BYC North Channel Regatta Amazing racing at Bayview One-Design Regatta Bayview Yacht Club to Host 2024 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta COMMENTS REGATTAS home 100 Clairpointe Street Detroit, MI 48215, USA. phone 313.822.1853. fax 313.822.8020 WOW Regatta The WOW Ultimate 20 Regatta for the Natalie J. O'Niel Trophy Sunday, August 11, 2024 Schedule of Events: 1200-1300 Registration & check-in 1300-1445 Practice ... Bayview Yacht Club WOW (Women On Water) Regatta 2024. August 10-11th, 2024 at Bayview Yacht Club! ... Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series Sailing World coverage of the Chicago Regatta Series, with sailing photos, races videos and the final results. ... May 31 - June 2, 2024 • Hosted by the Bayview Yacht Club ... 2024 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... Bayview Yacht Club Detroit, MI ... Home Bayview Yacht Club will deliver exceptional sailing and social experiences for members, their families, guests, and related communities while building upon the club's heritage, traditions and reputation for camaraderie, sportsmanship and world-renowned sailing. Sail. World renowned yacht racing and sailor development programs. Learn More right. Bayview Yacht Club's 100-Year Milestone The Bayview Yacht Club "then" (1915) on Motor Boat Lane, as depicted in a painting currently hanging in the clubhouse, and "now" (2015) on the edge of the Detroit River. 2022 Bayview Yacht Club Thursday Night Series Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... Bayview Yacht Club Detroit, MI ... Bayview Yacht Club August 22 - 25, 2024. The International Match Race for the Detroit Cup is the second of 4 events in the GRAND SLAM Grade 2 Match Race Series. The other events in the GRAND SLAM Series are the CYC/CMRC Invitational, the Oakcliff International, and the Thompson Cup hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian YC in Oyster Bay. 2023 Bayview Yacht Club 2023 Bayview Yacht Club - Alumni Regatta Bayview Yacht Club Detroit, MI, USA Saturday, October 14, 2023: Online Registration Form - Closed For Entry, please contact the Event Organizers. Current Registration List. Scratch Sheet. Crew List. Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series Official Regatta Website. For more information contact [email protected]. Bayview Yacht Club. Detroit, Michigan. Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2024. 2024 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - Detroit Chair: Robbyn Morphew. UPCOMING EVENTS. We would like to hear from you. Sailing is the focus at Bayview Yacht Club Bayview Yacht Club is seeking new members, especially younger ones. Adult Sailing: This year's remaining seven-week programs runs July 28-Sept. 1 and July 29-Sept. 2; orientation on July 23. 2017 Bayview Yacht Club Long Distance Race Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... Bayview Yacht Club Detroit, MI ... Long Distance Race 2024 Long Distance Race ♦. Bayview Yacht Club Detroit, Michigan Saturday, September 14, 2024 Race Chairperson: Jim Denner 2018 Bayview One Design Regatta Yacht Scoring is a featured packed 100% web based regatta administration and scoring system that simplifies the task of competitor registration, event management, competitor and media communications while providing results in near-real time to competitors and the World following your event on the internet. ... Bayview Yacht Club: Select Another ... Sailing Programs The Bayview Yacht Club Adult Learn to Race Course connects a world-class sailing club (BYC) with a well-organized on-the-water learning experience. ... The program totals 6 lessons 2-2.5 hours in length and includes your own ALTR Regatta and a weeknight fleet race on a J111 race boat. ALTR Course capped at 12 students per session. You will also ... Alumni Regatta 2023 Alumni Regatta. Bayview Yacht Club. Detroit, Michigan. October 14, 2023. Please read the NOR for the procedure to request an invitation. Notice of Race. Sailing Instructions. The competition for the coveted Matthew R. Purcell Trophy has grown into one of the premiere events of the summer; it is as much fun on the water as off, and a true ... Thursday Night Race Series ♦ Race Dates: May 23rd, June 6th, June 20th, June 27th, August 1st, August 15th, August 29th, September 12th, September 26th Time: 7:00 P.M. History Bayview incorporated in 1919 and started the first Club race that year, the Long-Distance race. By 1920, the popularity of Bayview was on the rise with the strong growth of the automotive industry in Detroit and, in a way, the nation's implementation of Prohibition. A short sail from the Bayview dock would place members into the legal bars in ... CLUB INFO home 100 Clairpointe Street Detroit, MI 48215, USA. phone 313.822.1853. fax 313.822.8020 catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht