Heartbreaker sweeps both Mac Races and finishes first overall
by GL52 Series 26 Jul 2025 00:30 BST
HEARTBREAKER © Mark Reid
After sweeping top results in the Bayview Mackinac Race and Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, Bob Hughes reflects on HEARTBREAKER's offshore success and the strength of the GL52 fleet.
For Bob Hughes, owner and skipper of HEARTBREAKER, success on the Great Lakes isn't about luck alone. Fresh off an impressive string of victories - including wins at the Bayview Mackinac Race and the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac - Hughes credits preparation, teamwork, and a fleet culture that pushes every program to elevate.
"It always starts with the crew and ends with the crew," Hughes says. "In distance racing you've always got to get a couple of breaks that go your way, but for us, all of these races are always about trying to win in the GL52 fleet. Anything else that happens after that is just icing on the cake." ~ Bob Hughes
In preparation for the summer season on the Great Lakes, HEARTBREAKER underwent keel modifications to widen it slightly to provide more grip, which Hughes says has improved performance. But for the biggest impact for HEARTBREAKER's success, he returns to complimenting his crew.
In particular, he credits Kyle Jones, who this year stepped up to the role of navigator for the Bayview and Chicago Mackinac races. Born in Frankfort, Mich., Jones has sailed 20+ Chicago and Bayview races and understands the unpredictability of Great Lakes offshore sailing.
"It was Ken Read's idea last year - 'Bob, let's just have Kyle navigate,'" Hughes says. "In the past we've had professional navigators from all over come in, and with Kyle navigating for the first time, he wins both Mac races overall. He's amazing."
Starts make the race
Hughes credits a strong starting strategy and flawless execution for HEARTBREAKER's offshore success. "Obviously, offshore starts add more elements than buoy races, but again it all comes down to communication and teamwork - something we're doing really well right now," he says.
For the Bayview Mac, they launched off the committee boat end and sailed over the fleet. And in last weekend's Chicago Mac, where a new five-mile "Skyline Sprint" course addition compressed fleet options, HEARTBREAKER chose a high lane near the committee boat, which Hughes says offered better pressure and clear air.
For Chicago, HEARTBREAKER led the race from start to finish - no small feat in a notoriously unpredictable race. "We got to that top mark in front of everybody and never looked back," Hughes says. "We probably said 'the race is just starting' about 20 times until we got to the island, because there's always potential for shutting down and restarting. But the team did a phenomenal job with sail changes and managing the transitions."
Adding an extra element of stress, HEARTBREAKER's jib Cunningham exploded overnight on the northern side of Lake Michigan, costing them about four miles. While the team made repairs, the next GL52, WINDQUEST, closed the gap. "WINQUEST was chasing us hard, but fortunately we were able to recover and get moving again," Hughes says.
The power of GL52 fleet briefings
Hughes is a strong supporter of the GL52 fleet's new format of morning fleet briefings, where teams share insights openly to improve collectively. "A fleet only lasts as long as you have owners willing to fund them, and owners will only do that if they're having fun," he says. "These morning debriefs bring owners and crews together in a way I haven't seen before in a big-boat fleet. You see all the teams, top to bottom, sharing ideas. It builds relationships and raises the racing of the entire fleet." He notes that fewer protests and better camaraderie are results of this approach, helping newer teams accelerate their learning while seasoned programs continue to refine.
"This is our sport, and for it to continue and grow - not shrink - we've got to get more people into it and help the younger and new teams. The GL52 fleet is special because we hate losing to each other, but everyone respects each other and works together on the big picture." ~ Bob Hughes
Looking ahead: Ugotta Regatta
HEARTBREAKER is racing at this weekend's Little Traverse Yacht Club's Ugotta Regatta in Harbor Springs, Mich., with a few crew changes, including returning tactician Paul Goodison. "There's not a more beautiful place to sail than Harbor Springs," Hughes says. "And the format is fantastic - Friday's buoy races followed by two around-the-bay races over the weekend. "But, that also puts a premium on racing well on Friday - the regatta is won or lost that day. If you don't have a good day Friday, you can't get it back."
Ten GL52s will race in this weekend's LTYC Ugotta Regatta, which is the fifth event of seven in the GL52's summer racing series.