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Sailor · 2009–2026

Stephen Kowal-Besler

north star sail club J/35PHRF handicap420

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Events
16

95 races · 23 race wins

Win rate
38%

38% win rate · 6 of 16

Podium rate
56%

9 top-three finishes

Typically beats
60%

of boats faced (range 53%–66%, 151 boats)

Best class ranking
#24

Crew in J/35 · rating 342

Longest win streak
7

race wins in a row

Most successful partnership
Eric Westen

5 wins · 6 podiums in 6 events together · 83% win rate

Best trio
Eric Westen & John Jamieson

5 wins · 6 podiums in 6 events, all three aboard

Biggest lift
Eric Westen

+49 points of fleet beaten when sailing together

Longest-running crew
Eric Westen

Jun 2022 – May 2026 · 6 events

Nemesis
Griffin Sherry

0–18 head to head in 18 races

Best day
31 May 2025

1-1-1-1 · 2025 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - Detroit

Signature result
1st of 12

2024 J/35 North American Championship · J/35 · 6 Sep 2024

Partnerships · 35 sailors

Most successful partnership: Eric Westen — 5 wins · 6 podiums in 6 events together · 83% win rate
  • Eric Westen · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 6events 5 wins together · 6 podiums · 83% win rate · 20 of 48 races won Beat 98% of the fleet together(+49 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2026
  • William Wildner · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 6events 5 wins together · 6 podiums · 83% win rate · 20 of 48 races won Beat 98% of the fleet together(+49 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2026
  • John Jamieson · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 6events 5 wins together · 6 podiums · 83% win rate · 20 of 48 races won Beat 98% of the fleet together(+49 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2026
  • Tim Schley · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 6events 5 wins together · 6 podiums · 83% win rate · 20 of 48 races won Beat 98% of the fleet together(+49 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2026
  • Kent Schwandt · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 5events 4 wins together · 5 podiums · 80% win rate · 16 of 39 races won Beat 97% of the fleet together(+44 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2025
  • Ronald Rabine · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 5events 4 wins together · 5 podiums · 80% win rate · 16 of 39 races won Beat 97% of the fleet together(+44 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2025
  • Nikolaus Kowal-Besler · Crazy Train, Rugger · PHRF handicap 4events 1 wins together · 2 podiums · 4 events · 1 of 9 races won Beat 69% of the fleet together(+3 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2013 – Jun 2023
  • Colleen Wildner · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 4events 4 wins together · 4 podiums · 4 events · 16 of 31 races won Beat 100% of the fleet together(+44 vs. without) · best 1st · Jun 2022 – May 2026
  • Dave Delano · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 4events 3 wins together · 4 podiums · 4 events · 14 of 34 races won Beat 96% of the fleet together(+39 vs. without) · best 1st · May 2024 – May 2026
  • Cruz Schroeder · Mr Bill's Wild Ride · J/35 4events 3 wins together · 4 podiums · 4 events · 14 of 34 races won Beat 96% of the fleet together(+39 vs. without) · best 1st · May 2024 – May 2026

Lift shows how much better this sailor finishes with that partner aboard.

Rating history

-19761318201020132016201920222025Helm rating, full-size sailingCrew rating, full-size sailing

— Helm rating, full-size sailing · - - Crew rating, full-size sailing

Event history · 16

DateEventBoatClassRoleFinish
29 May 20262026 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - DetroitMr Bill's Wild RideJ/35In the way1st / 9
30 May 20252025 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - DetroitMr Bill's Wild RideJ/35In the way1st / 10
6 Sep 20242024 J/35 North American ChampionshipMr Bill's Wild RideJ/35In the way1st / 12
31 May 20242024 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - DetroitMr Bill's Wild RideJ/35Foil Trimmer2nd / 8
9 Jun 20232023 Invitational Mills Trophy RaceRuggerPHRF handicapOther4th / 7
2 Jun 20232023 Bayview One Design RegattaMr Bill's Wild RideJ/35Foil Trimmer1st / 8
1 Oct 20222022 Bayview North Channel RaceRuggerPHRF handicapIn the way1st / 6
10 Jun 20222022 Invitational Mills Trophy RaceRuggerPHRF handicapOther3rd / 8
3 Jun 20222022 Bayview One Design RegattaMr Bill's Wild RideJ/35In the way1st / 8
9 Aug 20192019 St. Elmo's Night RaceGangrenePHRF handicapOther4th / 5
2 Jun 20182018 Bayview One Design RegattaSolutionPHRF handicapOther6th / 7
8 Oct 20162016 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival—Michigan ChampionshipRiff Raft420Skipper2nd / 8
12 Oct 20132013 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival—Michigan Championshipi dont know420Skipper7th / 20
1 Jun 20132013 Bayview One Design RegattaCrazy TrainPHRF handicapHeadsail Trimmer5th / 10
7 Jul 20122012 USA Junior Sailing Festival1492420Other10th / 11
17 Jul 20092009 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival - Great LakesOpti-True Blue IIOptimistSkipper28th / 30

Crew rating, Full-size sailing: 318, #6,891.Helm rating, Full-size sailing: -8, #54,888. Compiled from public results; not an official ranking.