IMPORTANT ENTRY DATES

December 2, 2024: Entries Open
March 1, 2025: Early Entry Fee Discount Period Ends
June 1, 2025: Entry Deadline
July 8, 2025: Rating Deadline

Welcome to this special edition of the Race to Mackinac celebrating Chicago Yacht Club’s 150th Anniversary! We’re excited you’re here!

The upcoming 116th edition of the race will be one you don’t want to miss and we’re pleased to announce several new and noteworthy changes for 2025:

No Invitation Necessary: We’ve streamlined our registration process to make it even easier to compete. If you’ve raced before, you can plan on simply entering the race when registration opens on December 2. For those looking to enter the race for the first time, you will no longer be required to request an invitation and can enter directly as well.
Maximum Number of Entries: Due to expected demand for this special edition of the Race, we’ve capped the maximum number of entries at 325. We highly recommend entering as soon as possible.
Mackinac Island Docking Priority: Your docking preference (choices: Mackinac Island, St. Ignace, or Mackinaw City, no docking) will be assigned based upon the order you submit your completed entry. Unlike years past where docking preference was based on how soon you paid your entry fee, it will now be based on completion of your entry. Further details will be available in the Notice of Race.
Compete in the Ultra Mac: 2025 will mark the running of the rare Ultra Mac! The race starts with the Bayview Mackinac Race , and continues down Lake Michigan to finish in Chicago. The Ultra Mac has only been raced once in the past 25 years!

Whether you’re a competitor or a fan, we invite you to join us as we celebrate 150 years of the Chicago Yacht Club during this special edition of the Race!

How To Enter The Race

Enter Here

1. Do you have a user profile?

If you competed in the Mac Race in 2024, you likely already have a user profile in which case you should use this same email/password to sign-in using the link above. If not, please click “Sign up now” to create your user profile on our race management portal. You will need this for the following steps.

2. Do you have a boat profile?

If you competed in the Mac Race in 2024, you likely already have a boat profile created under your user profile. If you did not compete in 2024 or you did but want to enter a different boat, you’ll need to create a new boat profile.

Once you’re signed in under your user profile, first make sure you’ve enabled “management of boats, crew and race entries” by clicking “My Account” and then click “My Details”. At the bottom of your details page, make sure you toggle on (click) the selector for “I intend to manage boats, crew and race entries”.

Now “My Boats” should appear as a menu item under “My Account” on the left hand side. You can click the green “Add Boat” button or select a previous boat you’ve assigned to your user profile.

3. Register your entry:

When logged into your user profile, on the left hand side click on “Events”. This will open a drop down menu. Click on “Enter Events” and you can select the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust to enter.

You will need to enter basic info about your entry (much of which will be pre-filled if you're a past competitor). You will then pay a 25% non-refundable deposit that provisionally secures your spot in the race (subject to your acceptance based on qualifications).

4. Complete your entry:

As soon as you are able, execute the requirements as laid out in the Notice of Race (NoR) by the entry deadline to secure your docking priority. This includes the following:

Pay any remaining balance of your entry fee
Complete your provisional crew list (50% of the anticipated crew, but no fewer than the minimum required crew number and include PIC and RPIC) and include all required items per NoR 4.2
Submit your application for a rating certificate*

*We’ve been made aware that US Sailing will not begin accepting applications for 2025 ORC rating certificates until mid/late-December 2024 and we recognize this is incongruous with completing your entry. Per NoR 7.3.3, entries must submit their application for a rating certificate to be marked complete.

Once applications open, US Sailing will provide the Mac Committee with a shared list that identifies who has submitted an application, and the status of their application.

If you’ve applied for certificates in the past two years, US Sailing will send you an email when applications open. If you’re new to applying, please email offshore@ussailing.org to be added to their list to be notified.

Please keep in mind that your entry is considered complete if you have submitted your application for a rating certificate – thus, we recommend completing this step even if you are waiting on new sails, measurement, etc. to finish receipt of your certificate from US Sailing. Submitting your application promptly, even with updates still to come, will make the process easier and faster for you, and for everyone.

Are you considering entering the Race to Mackinac for the first time? To commemorate Chicago Yacht Club’s 150th Anniversary, new entries may qualify for $150 off their entry fee to help offset startup costs to enter the race for the first time. The selections committee will review all requests. Inaugural entries should first complete their entry and then email noobies@cycracetomackinac.com. A race representative will respond as soon as possible once you have completed the requirements due by the entry deadline.