The Race to Mackinac Committee
About the Race
The Race to Mackinac Committee is a committee of active Chicago Yacht Club member-volunteers. The committee represents the club as the Race Organizing Authority and is led by the chairman. The committee planning process is a 12 months long and accounts for thousands of volunteer hours.
The chairman of the Mackinac Committee is appointed by the Commodore of Chicago Yacht Club and approved by the flag officers. The chairman has extensive on-the-water experience with offshore yacht racing. Other Committee members are appointed by the Chairman.
The 2023-2024 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Committee consists of the following members of the Chicago Yacht Club:
- Winn Soldani, Chair
- Kevin Foote, Vice Chairman
- Shawn O'Neill, Selections Chair
- Ron White, Chief Measurer
- Jennifer Steffler, PRO/YB Tracking
- Leif Sigmond, DRO/Documents
- Clark Pellett, Safety/Education
- Rick Lillie, Inspections/Safety
- Helle Getz, Scoring/Awards
- Steve Sickler, YB Tracking
- Lloyd Karzen, Island Operations
- Lindsey Duda, Communications
- Claire O'Neill, Communications
- Adam Collins, Growth
- Jerry Gurthet, Technology
- Tom Falck, Technology/Entry Management
- Mike Kaspar, Jury Secretary
- Graham Sauser, Social/Sponsorship/Communications
- Sam Vielleux, Past Chair/Judges/Documents
CYC Staff:
- Chuck Nevel, CYC OTW Director
- Patrick Burks, CYC Regatta Manager
- Abbie Wilson, CYC Communications
Together, these volunteers and many other CYC member volunteers dedicate thousands of volunteer hours towards making the Race a success.
History of the Mac Committee
Considering the number of times that there has been a Mackinac Race, the appointment of a chairman of the Mackinac Race Committee is a quite recent process. In 1965-1967, John D. Kinsey, a member of the Race Committee, was named Assistant Chief Observer of the Mackinac Race. Mr. Kinsey accompanied the fleet to Mackinac aboard the Coast Guard Cutter, a "standing only" position, there being no chairs aboard.
In 1971, Richard S. Latham, Commodore in 1967-68, was appointed Special Regatta Committee Chairman.
The first appearance of a Mackinac Committee Chairman was in 1972, about the time of fiberglass boats gaining popularity. Mark H. Baxter became the first chairman.