The 2024 Great Lakes sailing season delivered countless compelling moments, but few stories shine brighter than the unprecedented campaign of Heartbreaker, the TP52 helmed by Bob Hughes. With back-toback overall wins in both the Bayview Mackinac and Chicago Mackinac races, a rare and coveted double victory, Heartbreaker has secured its place in sailing lore.
“To win either one of those races is hard. To win both in the same season is definitely special,” Hughes said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the crew. They slopped it all out in the water and pushed the boat hard for both races. They never took the foot off the gas.”
The consistency and grit of Heartbreaker’s team have been trademarks of its success. Sailing with 14 crew members, “three more than a football team,” as Hughes puts it, demands coordination and unwavering chemistry. Many of Heartbreaker’s crew have been with the program for years. Hughes says that continuity pays off in big moments, when the conditions get rough, gear breaks, or decisions need to be made without hesitation.
