Three days into the Rolex Big Boat Series 2025, San Francisco Bay has already provided everything a sailor could ask for. The opening day tested nerves with near-windless drifting contests before a proper breeze arrived and sent the fleet on a spectacular run beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Day 2 saw the Bay assert itself fully, with spinnakers straining and the leaderboard beginning to sort itself out. Now, with a decisive final day ahead, some divisions look all but settled while others remain genuinely wide open.
The standout moment of the regatta so far came on Day 3, when race officers made a decision that will be talked about long after the trophies are handed out. For the first time in 20 years, Point Bonita was brought back into use as a turning mark, sending the ORC A fleet out to meet Pacific swell before wheeling them back through the Gate. Racing past the lighthouse with open ocean on one side and the iconic bridge on the other, crews experienced a stretch of sailing rarely offered at this event. Once the fleet reconverged off the Race Deck, San Francisco delivered its signature afternoon conditions: a steady breeze, clear blue skies, and boats pressing hard for the finish under full sail. Anyone watching from the balconies would have struggled to name a finer setting for a yacht race.
After six races, the results paint a picture of some runaway leaders and some fiercely unresolved battles.
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In the Express 37 fleet, Mark Chaffey's Loca Motion leads the way on 14 points, built on consistent top-three finishes. Andy Schwenk's Spindrift V is pressing hard in second on 17 points, with Brendan Busch's Spy vs Spy a further point back in third on 18. Golden Moon recovered well with a race win after suffering a DSQ, though fourth place is where they currently sit.
The J/105 division has been one of the more intriguing contests. Arbitrage, sailed by Bruce Stone and Nicole Breault, holds the lead on 25 points. Tim Russell's NeNe sits second on 31, just shading Ryan Simmons' Blackhawk for that position. Early pace-setter Beast of Burden* has had a difficult run since those opening exchanges and has dropped back to eighth following a retirement.
Among the J/88s, Brice Dunwoodie's Ravenette has been close to faultless. Five race wins and a third place have left them sitting on 8 points and well clear of the fleet. Speedwell holds second on 15, with Inconceivable and Butcher filling the next two spots.
The ORC A division tells a similarly dominant story. Michael Firmin's Zeus has taken line honours in every one of the six races so far, leaving them with a perfect 6-point score. The battle for the minor placings is considerably tighter, with Merlin and Halawa locked together on 16 points apiece. Astra sits further behind as the chasing pack looks for any sign of vulnerability from the leader.
ORC B has developed into a genuine two-boat contest. Skeleton Key holds the upper hand on 10 points, with Sitella working hard to close the gap from 15 points back. M2 and Arsenal remain within range should either of the front-runners stumble on the final day.
In ORC C, Zach Berkowitz's Feather has been the class of the fleet, claiming four wins and two second places to sit on 9 points. Peregrine and Reverie are deadlocked on 14 points as they try to apply pressure, while Chance is chasing further back.
With 65 boats spread across six divisions having already produced drama in every corner of the Bay, the appetite for a fitting conclusion is high. One race remains, and it is the one that defines the regatta: a long course around San Francisco Bay, a format with a history of overturning comfortable leads and rewarding the brave. The Bay has already shown everything it has this week. One final examination awaits.
