There’s a flurry of activity this week on the Island! Over 2,000 sailors, plus their friends, families, spectators, and organizers, are descending on the island for the 116th running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. 

The Mac (as they typically call it) begins in Chicago and travels 333 miles up Lake Michigan, passing under the Mackinac bridge, and finishing at the island.

It’s the world’s longest-running freshwater sailboat race with a rich history dating back to 1898. The race has run nearly every year since 1906, with a brief hiatus for World War II and in 2020, due to the pandemic. 

Lake Michigan challenges the racers with all kinds of conditions. The lake’s weather changes not only from year to year, but minute to minute. At the Saturday start last year, the earlier boats had crystal blue skies, but the later starters were met with torrential rain, proof that conditions on Lake Michigan can change in an instant.

The Race to Mackinac is a bucket list item for sailors from all over the World. Racers and boats come from all over the world and have included Olympic medalists and America’s Cup sailors.

There are all kinds of different boats that race up here to Mackinac. The cruising division, made up of more comfortable vessels, departed Friday afternoon. The racing division, made up of sportier, speedier sailboats, departed Chicago Saturday morning. It takes about two full days to finish the journey, and unless there is an emergency, racers do not stop or use their engines. They race through the night, taking shifts and continuing to race the boat while others on the crew sleep. They also bring all the food and water they will need for the trip when they leave the dock in Chicago. There are strict safety requirements racers have to adhere to as conditions on Lake Michigan can be punishing, including severe storms in some years.

This year’s race has more than 300 boats in it and about 2000 sailors competing.  You’ll see the sailors and their friends and families on the island through Tuesday, when there is a large awards ceremony at Mission Point.  

If you’d like to see more, we suggest you stop by Windermere Point, where the race ends, and walk by the harbor to see the boats moored.