San Francisco Bay saved its best for last. The Rolex Big Boat Series 2025 closed in glorious style, with the traditional Bay Tour sending all six fleets on 15–20 mile courses around the landmarks of the Bay. After three days of contrasting conditions, the finale brought together history, spectacle, and high-stakes racing as overall champions were decided.
The day began in solemn fashion with one of the regatta’s most meaningful traditions. Eight bells were rung in memory of sailors who have “crossed the bar,” followed by flowers cast into the water at A Buoy. It was a quiet moment of connection before the week’s final contest.
The game is one
From there, the Bay came alive. Under blue skies and a fresh breeze, fleets charged beneath the Golden Gate, around Alcatraz, down the Cityfront, and back to finish in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club. Crowds lined the balconies to cheer them home.
The last race was a showcase of San Francisco sailing at its best.
- Express 37: Golden Moon (Michael Laport, StFYC) roared back from a mid-series setback to win the Bay Tour. But consistency carried the day for Mark Chaffey’s Loca Motion (Monterey Peninsula YC), whose 2nd place sealed overall victory on 16 points. Spindrift V (Andy Schwenk) finished second overall on 20, with Spy vs Spy third on 23.
- J/105: The Bay Tour saw Roulette (William Woodruff, SBYC) snatch a race win, but Arbitrage (Bruce Stone & Nicole Breault) never let go of the overall lead. With a 4th in the finale, they clinched the series on 29 points. Blackhawk (Ryan Simmons) took second on 39, edging Ne*Ne (Tim Russell) on 41.
- J/88: Brice Dunwoodie’s Ravenette (StFYC) capped an extraordinary week with another bullet, their sixth win from seven races. They leave untouchable with just 9 points. Speedwell (Tom Thayer) secured second with 17, while Butcher (Dave Corbin) finished third.
- ORC A: Australia’s Zeus (Michael Firmin, CYCA/RSYS) completed the rare feat of a perfect scoreline — seven straight bullets. Behind them, Merlin (Chip Merlin) and Halawa (Kimo Winterbottom) battled to the end, finishing on 18 and 19 points respectively.
- ORC B: Skeleton Key (Peter Wagner) left no doubt, winning the Bay Tour and the overall crown with 11 points. Sitella (Ian Hill) claimed second on 17, while M2 (Marc McMorris) rounded out the podium.
- ORC C: Reverie (John Arens, CYC) struck back in the final race to beat Peregrine home, but Zach Berkowitz’s Feather (StFYC) had already done the damage. With four wins and a string of seconds, they topped the class on 12 points. Reverie took second overall on 15 while Peregrine took third with 15.
Beyond the results
As the last boats crossed the line, cheers rose from the Yacht Club deck — not just for the winners, but for the spectacle of another unforgettable edition of the Rolex Big Boat Series. From drifting duels to Bay-breeze blasts, from Point Bonita’s historic turn to the final lap past Alcatraz, the 61st edition has lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s great Corinthian regattas.
