December 2, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CST

Please visit our Entry Guide for the link to enter the race.

1. Do you have a user profile?

   If you competed in the Mac Race in 2025, you already have a user profile in which case you should use this same email/password to sign-in by clicking here. If not, you’ll be prompted 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 or 2025, you already have a boat profile created under your user profile. If you did not compete recently 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:

   Once registration goes live on December 2nd: 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 to enter the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust.

   You will need to enter basic info about your entry (much of which will be pre-filled if you're a past competitor) which includes: boat name, sail number, type, hull type & material, LOA, onboard mobile, email address. 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 require crew number and include PIC and RPIC) and include all required items per the NoR.

• Submit your application for a rating certificate

We’ve been made aware that US Sailing will not begin accepting applications for 2026 ORC rating certificates until early January 2026 and we recognize this is incongruous with completing your entry. Per the NoR, 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 few 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.

Qualification is based on your vessel meeting design and safety criteria as listed in the Notice of Race (NoR) and Chicago Mackinac Safety Requirements (CMSRs). At a minimum, all vessels must be 26 feet long (24 feet if a multihull).

You will need to enable your online profile to manage boats, crew and race entries. Within your user profile select My Accounts >> My Details. At the bottom, make sure “I intend to manage boats, crew and race entries” is enabled (selected green). Once this is enabled you will see a My Boats section appear in your user profile menu.

GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is the term used to describe fiberglass hulls.

Among many qualifications, the selections committee considers the number of overnight races and passages already completed – by all crew including the skipper/PIC – on comparable boats. For example, any previous Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac and Bayview Race to Mackinac experience is often a key indicator of a boat’s readiness. Comparable offshore overnight racing experience on comparable boats can be used as qualification and should be submitted as well.

Please be sure to be specific when listing your experience and avoid answering vaguely (i.e. “lots” or “many races”).

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.

A thorough list of limitations for the Cruising Division is included in the NoR. Boats competing in the Cruising Division are restricted in the use of whisker and spinnaker poles and have headsail limitations, staysail limitations, and spinnaker limitations.

To request recognition of a new one-design class please email regattamanager@cycracetomackinac.com with the following information:

• One-design class rules

• Ensure you have a minimum of 8 boats to enter

• Indicate if you would prefer to score within the class using handicapped or elapsed time

Oftentimes, the “crew list” is where we see the highest delinquency when entering the Race. When you enter the race, you will be required to enter a minimum number of crew members for your entry to be marked as “complete”. However, we recommend completing your entire crew list as soon as possible.

All crew members must create their own account (user profile) through our race management portal in which they will list their contact information, experience, and any relevant safety equipment ID numbers.

Crew experience is where we see many questions and it is IMPORTANT. A crew member’s experience is used when evaluating an entry and can be valuable in an emergency situation. 

We recommend each crew member supply a concise history of his/her offshore experience including: the types of sailing and/or races you have competed in, over what period, on what types of boats, and what your duties were. The less experience you have, the more detail you should provide and be sure to list any specialized training you have that enhances your abilities and value as a crew member on a Mac Race. Answers such as “lots” or “many races” are unacceptable.

When entering the Race, each entry’s crew list should have at least 50% of crew (no fewer than 4) per the NoR. We recommend this crew as the core/most experienced crew members and PIC/RPIC must be indicated.

At check-in, an entry’s crew list must be complete which includes all members plus their safety qualifications: Safety at Sea requirements, completed safety drills per the NoR.

If, due to an emergency, you must make a change after your crew list is marked “finalized” at check-in, you must immediately notify us at regattamanager@cycracetomackinac.com.

If you do not enter by the final entry deadline, your entry is at the discretion of the race committee. Your entry can be assessed the 25% late entry fee or rejected completely.