Bieker design Baby Blue Wins at Mackinac

The Chicago Mackinac race is known as one of the greatest races anywhere in the world, and with good reason. Conditions change with frightening speed, chunky waves test boats and, moreover, crews and the quality of racing is top notch.

The white boat in this Yellow Brick tracker image is Baby Blue approaching the Mackinac bridge and finish line at the Island beyond. All the other boats in the image are from Class 6 (her class), Class 5 (bigger, “faster”) and Class 4 (even bigger, even “faster”). Baby Blue won her class handily and finished 6th overall in the under 40′ Mackinac Cup division.

Paul Bieker’s 40′ Blue design caught people’s attention when she appeared a few years ago sailing around and in front of much larger boats. This year, the Bieker designed and Jim Betts built Baby Blue rocked the Mac fleet with a resounding Class 6 win. In the process, she beat all the supposedly faster Class 4 and Class 5 boats boat for boat.

Congratulations to Peter Heppel, Evan Walker and the largely PNW crew. Hopefully we can get some first-hand comments about the race.

3 thoughts on “Bieker design Baby Blue Wins at Mackinac

  • July 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm
    Permalink

    Fabulous Fred. You and Gayle have ti be very Proud!

    Reply
  • July 26, 2023 at 4:38 pm
    Permalink

    Kurt forgets that for a boat to excel, no matter how well designed, it requires a wise skipper and skilled crew. Congratulations Peter et al!

    Reply
    • July 26, 2023 at 5:46 pm
      Permalink

      Not forgotten at all Jim, though good to call it out. I’m hoping to speak with one or more of the PNW sailors who made her go so fast, and in the right direction.

      Reply

Leave a Reply