San Francisco Bay has a way of writing its own script. One moment it’s glassy, the next it’s roaring. The opening two days of the Rolex Big Boat Series 2025 proved just that — a regatta that began in a whisper and quickly found its voice.
Day 1: chess on water
The first day was a tale of two races. The opener was all about patience. With just 5–8 knots and a flooding tide, the Bay set a puzzle for every tactician. Boats crept up the windward legs, desperate to hold lanes. One wrong call could cost half a dozen places.
The J/105s, with 27 boats, were a sight in themselves — white sails stacked bow to stern. J Tripper grabbed the first win in the drifting duel, though already you could feel the heavyweights stirring. In the Express 37s, Loca Motion struck first, while Ravenette signalled early intent in the J/88s. Among the big boats, the Australian-flagged Zeus burst onto the scene with line honours (ORC A) and corrected-time victory over the legendary Merlin.
Rolex Big Boat Series 2025: race 1 delivers light airs and tight battles
Then the Bay woke up. By Race 2 the breeze had filled, the sun came out, and the regatta shifted gear. The long-distance format stretched the divisions across San Francisco’s natural amphitheatre. ORC A charged through a 19.7-mile course, with Zeus proving their earlier win was no fluke. ORC B and C swept under the Golden Gate on 13.3-mile tracks, with Skeleton Key and Feather showing early dominance. The one-designs were sent on a 12.7-mile haul from Treasure Island, converging spectacularly off the Race Deck as spinnakers filled and spectators cheered.
It was classic San Francisco: one race a game of chess, the next a charge through the tide lines. By the end of the day, it was already clear who might control their fleets — but the Bay had made its point. Nothing would come easy.
Day 2: the Bay in full voice
If the first day was about contrasts, the second was about confidence. The breeze built, the tide ran, and San Francisco turned on one of its signature afternoons.
ORC A stretched their legs again on a 19.7-mile course, Zeus collecting yet another bullet to sit four-from-four. ORC B looks like a duel between Skeleton Key and Sitella, while ORC C remains firmly in Feather’s grasp, though Reverie has been tenacious.
In the J/105s, Beast of Burden now leads, but Arbitrage and Donkey Jack are well in the fight. The Express 37s are tight as ever — Loca Motion leads, but Expeditious and Spy vs Spy are breathing down their necks. And the J/88s? Ravenette has been flawless, winning all four races so far.
Halfway and heating up
Two days in and the Rolex Big Boat Series feels properly alive. We’ve had fog rolling under the bridge, golden sunsets to close the racing, and the unmistakable hum of San Francisco at its best. Ashore, the Rolex Owners Dinner and Mount Gay Rum Party kept spirits high, but everyone knows the real business is still on the water.
At the halfway mark, some divisions already have front-runners. Others look like they’ll go down to the final beat. And right now, with more breeze in the forecast, the next act promises to be even better.
