The sailors of the US’s Midwest didn’t let the Newport Bermuda Race’s post-race news and scoring controversy suck the air out of their sailing. Starting on Friday, June 26, the South Shore Yacht Club (Milwaukee, WI) hosted its 87th running of their Queen’s Cup Race. Sailed on Lake Michigan, the Queen’s Cup crosses Lake Michigan from Milwaukee, WI, to Grand Haven, MI. The organizers report that this is the oldest freshwater race currently being sailed.
The competitors set off on their 68 nm passage in patchy fog that continued throughout the night and into the second day. Initially, the sailors were met with a northeasterly (the rhumb line bore 89°) making most of the race a close reach putting a premium on upwind sails’ performance. This continued until, towards the finish, the wind clocked more easterly.
Once the fog cleared and the dust settled, it was two UK Sailmakers customers who sat atop the leaderboard in the overall PHRF and Cruising Divisions: David and Stephen Bluhm’s vintage C&C Redline 41 Condor won PHRF 7 and overall and Tom Spees’ Ericson 34T Sirocco went home with the Cruising Division title.
Both boats hailed from Pentwater Yacht Club in Pentwater, MI, just north of Grand Rapids, and were the only boats from their club in the race. PYC’s members were thrilled with their performances. It should be noted that Condor has raced nearly 50 Queen’s Cup Races in her 57-year lifetime; this was Sirocco’s fifth Queen’s Cup.
When asked to comment on his boat’s performance, Spees noted, “My Erickson 34 put our UK Sailmakers X-Drive Silver genoa and main to good use in this tight reaching race. The sails held their shape and we didn’t lack for speed. We sailed pretty much the rhumb line the entire race not wanting to give up any extra distance. We dedicated our win to former teammate Greg Slocum, who recently fought a courageous battle with cancer.” Condor, conversely, sailed a few miles north of the rhumb line, putting some height in the bank, and finished with a reach to secure their win.
Condor’s David Bluhm added, “I believe the most significant part of this overall win is that Condor is the oldest participant in the race. Knowing that you represent a sailmaker I think our victory proves how important having quality sails is to wins like this. Also, transitioning to a new owner and having that new owner on board for the race was something we could not have scripted any better. I know it’s a big win considering that most racing sailors never get a chance to win a major race like this, regardless of if they are sailing family boats like ours or high-tech racing machines.”
Condor (Left) and Sirocco (Right) both had great results at the 2026 Queen’s Cup.
Both Sirocco and Condor are older vessels that have been restored. With stiff hulls and well-designed sails from UK Sailmakers Chicago, both boats demonstrated exceptional performance.
Tom Spees said, “I am very proud to be representing UK Sailmakers Chicago in MI. Our loft in Chicago delivers on quality and service. My expectations are very high for great customer service and quality sails that are second to none produced in the USA.”
Bluhm added, “Having two boats representing PYC win overall PHRF and Cruising Division trophies was a first for our club…and it’s been around on Lake Michigan since 1935. And our performance was solid with our X-Drive Silver genoa and our older Tape Drive main that, as proved by our performance, still has life in it.”
It should be noted that the finish line was just two waypoints approximately 400 feet in length – a first for the Queen’s Cup. The virtual finish line worked well without having to rely on a committee boat on station.
Other UK Sailmakers customers that fared well in this race included:
PHRF 2
- 2nd – Sirocco (J/160)
- 3rd – Shorthanded
PHRF 3
- 3rd – Unknown Lady NAI
PHRF 5
- 2nd – Banshee
Full 2026 Queen’s Cup race results available here.
