Defiance Racing

Defiance Racing DEFIANCE: 2002 Judel / Vrolijk & Co 66', Sail USA #52575
(ex-Bella Mente, ex-Sotto Voce) Source: Sailing World, March 2011

LOA 65.94 Beam 14.93 Draft 11.94
PHRF Rating (Lake Michigan) -93
RR / GLMROA Rating 1.264

In 2002, Holland's Arien Van Vemde had the Judel Vrolik 66' designed and built by Farr/Cookson. He raced it as Sotto Voce on the European circuit before selling it, in 2005, to Minnesota's Hap Fauth, who renamed it Bella Mente and optimizing it with carbon-fiber rigging plus new sails, mast, boom, keel bu

lb, and rudder. After steering the boat to victory in the 2006 Newport Bermuda Race, first to finish, Fauth did what many owners do with high-end race boats they're outgrown; he took advantage of the tax savings and made a magnanimous gesture by donating the boat to a service academy, in this case, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point Waterfront. Defiance (renamed by the USMMA Sailing Foundation) was sponsored by a member of the Chicago Yacht Club and brought to the Great Lakes to compete in the 100th Anniversary - Chicago Yacht Club - Race to Mackinac. Then in 2010, a new sponsor, also a C*C member, invited USMMA midshipmen as crew for the Bayview YC Port Huron to Mackinac and Chicago YC Race to Mackinac. Soon after those two races, Defiance was purchased by the sponsor, who is now the current owner, and is raced with an amateur crew on the Great Lakes out of Chicago, IL.

A look back. August 14, 2021, 10:11 am.
03/06/2026

A look back. August 14, 2021, 10:11 am.

Golden city: Aboard DEFIANCE JV/66 USA52575 just after our finish in the 2025 Chicago-Michigan City-Chicago night race. ...
02/21/2026

Golden city: Aboard DEFIANCE JV/66 USA52575 just after our finish in the 2025 Chicago-Michigan City-Chicago night race. The Big Town with night blending into day at 4:24 am on June 28.

A big emphasis on safety, preparedness, familiarity and communication. A DEFIANCE pre-race crew meeting led by Co-Capta...
02/05/2026

A big emphasis on safety, preparedness, familiarity and communication. A DEFIANCE pre-race crew meeting led by Co-Captain Mike Kenny. Bruce Hillyer photo, taken before we left the dock for an all-night race across Lake Michigan, between Chicago and St Joe, Michigan. August 29, 2025.

She is a little sexy. Fabio Brienza photo taken while we sheltered below at the dock in fairly aggressive morning storm...
02/05/2026

She is a little sexy. Fabio Brienza photo taken while we sheltered below at the dock in fairly aggressive morning storms. The Sheldon Clark Regatta—our last regular race of the season—ultimately was abandoned due to sea conditions. September 13, 2025.

This Kid. Gold Star Regatta, June 14, 2025. Bruce Hillyer photo
02/05/2026

This Kid. Gold Star Regatta, June 14, 2025. Bruce Hillyer photo

Couple o’ guyss. Bi-state Leg 1, August 29, 2025. Bruce Hillyer Photo. With Eddie Marshall and Timmy Hord!
02/05/2026

Couple o’ guyss. Bi-state Leg 1, August 29, 2025. Bruce Hillyer Photo. With Eddie Marshall and Timmy Hord!

Hanna Kwiecinska photo, date uncertain, 2025.
02/05/2026

Hanna Kwiecinska photo, date uncertain, 2025.

Lead bow Andrew Henkel is pretty darn good at the other end of the boat. On the second leg of the Bi-State, St Joe to C...
02/05/2026

Lead bow Andrew Henkel is pretty darn good at the other end of the boat. On the second leg of the Bi-State, St Joe to Chicago, August 31, 2025. Bruce Hillyer photo.

No Step! At the Island. Timmy Hord photo, July 22, 2025.
02/05/2026

No Step! At the Island. Timmy Hord photo, July 22, 2025.

Sending all best wishes for a great 2026 from our team to yours! Looking for the finish line of the 2025 Columbia Yacht...
01/01/2026

Sending all best wishes for a great 2026 from our team to yours! Looking for the finish line of the 2025 Columbia Yacht Club Chicago-Michigan City-Chicago night race. 4:14 am on June 28.

Merry Christmas to all of our friends! We have so much to be thankful for. All best wishes for a great 2026! Photo by...
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas to all of our friends! We have so much to be thankful for. All best wishes for a great 2026! Photo by Oliver Gilly.

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3155 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
60616

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