06-Nov-09 - 10:06am
Dear Friends,

Tomorrow night, many of you will join us at the Chicago Hyatt Regency to toast the winners of the 101st Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. The 101st Race, the second largest in Race history, was one for the history books. It featured extremely challenging weather conditions, and rewarded those of us who exhibited perserverance and the intestinal fortitude to stay well west of the rhumb line. Win or lose, we hope that you enjoyed the 101st Race as much as we did. Thanks to my fellow committee members and our world-class Race Committee for making it happen.

Tomorrow's dinner will mark the transition from the 101st Race to the 102nd Race, which will leave Chicago on Friday, July 23 (for our cruising division) and Saturday, July 24, 2009 (for the remaining divisions.) We hope you will decide to join us for another helping of history, adventure, competition, and friendship.

Tomorrow night will also mark a 'watch change' of sorts. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Race Chairman for the past two years. Tomorrow, I will be turning over the helm of the Mackinac Committee to Greg Freeman, who has served as Vice Chairman for the 100th and 101st Races. Winn Soldani will join Greg as the new Vice Chairman. Greg has been a fantastic Vice Chairman, and I know that he and his team will put on spectacular Races in 2010 and 2011. You will see communications from Greg and Winn regarding the 102nd Race in the coming weeks.

Best wishes for a productive and enjoyable off-season. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago next July.

Regards,

Greg J. Miarecki
Chair
2009 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac