GREAT LAKES RACING IS BACK! Day 1 Saw Rain and Shifts

June 6, 2026

The GL52 fleet is back in Michigan for our 2026 Summer Series! Teams were greeted by the majestic Big Red lighthouse and glittering waters of Lake Michigan, leading our event to aptly be named Big Red Regatta. In our inaugural event of the season, six teams are taking to the race course: Katana, Heartbreaker, Mockingbird, Fjord, Windquest and Wizard.

After a dominant performance in our southern series, Wizard is looking to continue their winning streak in Michigan. Looking to upset the fun? Two-time Great Lakes series winner Katana. And with four other stellar boats on the race course it really is anyone’s guess as to who will emerge on top.

We are especially excited to welcome Fjord to the fleet. John Brynjolfsson‘s team will be joining us for the entire season and we are thrilled to have them.

Race Day 1 was wet and wild! As long as you take out most definitions of the word wild and leave just the wet. With periods of rain and overall light pressure with large shifts, competitors and race committee alike, were challenged by the conditions. Racing was moved forward one hour in hopes of avoiding the gnarliest of weather, yet storm systems moved just past Holland, letting us complete three races.

Currently leading is Wizard in first with 7 total points; however, they are not alone at the top; as they are currently tied with Katana, edging them out in a tiebreaker. The ties don’t stop there. Winquest and Heartbreaker are currently tied with eight points sitting just below Wizard and Katana. Mockingbird and Fjord are not far behind and round out the rest of the fleet.

Racing will begin at 12pm EST. The plan is to run three races and hope that the wind fills in and the rain files out.