Pacific Yankee on the Rise
Some teams seem to find a way to be at the front no matter where they race. Pacific Yankee, led by owner and helmsman Drew Freides, is one of those teams.
Pacific Yankee: Southernmost Regatta, Key West and Rolex Big Boats, San Francisco
The June spread in the 2026 Ultimate Sailing Calendar follows Pacific Yankee across two of North America’s premier sailing venues—Key West and San Francisco Bay—showcasing the speed, teamwork, and consistency that have made the team one of the standout performers in the rapidly growing Cape 31 class.
2026 Ultimate Sailing calendar - Pacific Yankee & Warrior Won
At the top of the page, Pacific Yankee powers upwind through the turquoise waters of Key West. Crew stacked on the rail and eyes locked forward, every adjustment matters. Designed by renowned naval architect Mark Mills, the Cape 31 rewards precision, teamwork, and tactical excellence, making for incredibly close racing where positions can change in an instant.
A champion sailor and one of the most accomplished amateur helmsmen in the sport, Freides has built a reputation for assembling talented teams and competing at the highest levels of one-design racing. Campaigning under the Pacific Yankee banner, he has enjoyed success across multiple classes, with the Cape 31 representing the latest chapter in that ongoing story.
The boat’s name, Pacific Yankee, is a fitting reflection of Freides himself—an East Coast native who made his home on the West Coast. Like its owner, the campaign draws from a broad sailing background while embracing new challenges and opportunities on some of the world’s most competitive racecourses.
Pacific Yankee RBBS 2024
Additional images featured throughout the month were captured during the Rolex Big Boat Series on San Francisco Bay, where Pacific Yankee delivered an impressive performance to claim overall victory in 2024 and earn one of sailing’s most coveted prizes—the Rolex watch. Racing on San Francisco Bay is never easy. Strong winds, powerful currents, steep chop, and constantly changing conditions demand complete focus from every member of the crew.
The photographs reveal what often separates great teams from good ones: preparation, communication, and flawless execution. Whether driving hard upwind, accelerating out of a tack, or charging downwind beneath a full spinnaker, Pacific Yankee sails with a level of precision that reflects years of experience and teamwork.
One of the joys of photographing the Cape 31 fleet is its personality. Owners have embraced bold hull colors, custom graphics, and distinctive designs that make each boat instantly recognizable. Combined with the boat’s athletic performance, the result is a class that is as exciting to photograph as it is to race.
Pacific Yankee, Warrior Won
Below, fellow Cape 31 competitor Warrior Won surfs downwind beneath a full spinnaker in classic San Francisco conditions, providing a glimpse into the depth and competitiveness of the fleet. Together, the images capture why the Cape 31 has become one of the hottest classes in sailing today.
Warrior Won
The month concludes with a team portrait following the victory celebration at St. Francis Yacht Club, where Freides and his crew proudly pose with their Rolex watches alongside the Club Commodore. It is a fitting reminder that while sailing may appear effortless from a distance, success at this level is built on preparation, teamwork, and countless hours on the water.
Pacific Yankee team - Rolex Big Boat Series victory celebration at St Francis YC
From the warm waters of Key West to the challenging conditions of San Francisco Bay, Drew Freides and the Pacific Yankee team continue to demonstrate the dedication, skill, and teamwork required to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Fast, colorful, and relentlessly competitive, Pacific Yankee embodies everything that makes modern one-design racing so compelling.
