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
07/29/2026
On the way back from Mackinac: Team DEFIANCE is very proud to have finished first in the annual 100-Miler race on Green Bay! Our thanks as always to Menominee-Marinette Yacht Club for their great hospitality! July 25, 2026
07/13/2026
DEFIANCE has started—and finished—the 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac! Our team is enjoying some time on the Island!
06/22/2026
Happy Summer! Our team is delighted to be back on the water! A wonderful photo courtesy of photographer Dan Gardiner, taken during the Waukegan to Chicago race on the Summer Solstice, June 21, 2026.
06/02/2026
Preparation continues for the 2026 season! Mike Kenny photo.
03/06/2026
A look back. August 14, 2021, 10:11 am.
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.
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.
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.
02/05/2026
This Kid. Gold Star Regatta, June 14, 2025. Bruce Hillyer photo
02/05/2026
Couple o’ guyss. Bi-state Leg 1, August 29, 2025. Bruce Hillyer Photo. With Eddie Marshall and Timmy Hord!