Dear Fellow Sailors and Friends:
In just under 177 days will be starting the 104th running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Veuve Cliqcuot. Although Mother Nature continually reminds us of the season we live in, it is never too early to think warm thoughts about sailing. With that in mind, I would like to personally invite all our friends and fellow sailors to partake in the official kick-off for the Race to Mackinac Season.
On Saturday, January 28 we will have the following "Mac" events underway at Strictly Sail Chicago:
1. Sailor Education: The US Sailing Safety @ Sea course will be taking place on Navy Pier at Strictly Sail. While this session is SOLD OUT, there are still spots left for our second US Sailing Safety at Sea session Saturday April 14, 2012 at Chicago Yacht Club. Click on this link for more information http://tinyurl.com/cycSAS41412 or to register email racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org
2. Sailor Information: The Mac Committee will be presenting two Mac Race seminars at Strictly Sail on Saturday January 28. PM, join us for:
a. At 3:30PM, ‘Preview of the 104th Race to Mackinac’. This is a panel discussion featuring members of our Race to Mackinac committee that will help answer many of your questions regarding changes to the race.
b. At 4:45 PM, ‘Racing in the Cruising Division of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac’ (and the distance races for the NOOD and the Verve) with Matt Gallagher, a vice chairman of the Mac and Kyle Ewing of the CYC’s Verve Cup committee. This is a great session to attend if you are a cruiser, new to racing or are interested in doing the Mac for the first time.
3. Sailor Celebration: On Saturday evening, don't miss the biggest bash of the winter - the annual Pink Pony Party at CYC's Belmont Harbor station. Join us for food, champagne, music and drink specials. The party starts and 6:00 PM and goes on well into the night. The Pink Pony will once again make the pilgrimage from Mackinac Island to Chicago. So get ready friends, it’s time to THINK PINK!
Lastly, we anticipate the release of the NOR in the upcoming 24 hours. We have already posted the Mackinac Safety Regulations (a joint venture with Bayview Yacht Club) on the Mac website under race documents. We will also be releasing a courtesy document –"2012 Race to Mackinac –FAQs" which helps highlight the changes to the 2012 race.
As always, contact racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org if you have any questions.
See you all on Saturday!
Lou Sandoval
Chairman,
104th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Presented by Veuve Clicquot