Track the fleet, watch from Chicago or Mackinac Island, and experience America’s Offshore Challenge from wherever you are.
The 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is here.
Beginning Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, approximately 260 boats will set out from Chicago on the 333-mile journey to Mackinac Island. Whether you are watching from the lakefront, following a family member or favorite boat, or experiencing the Mac Race for the first time, there are plenty of ways to follow the action.
Here is how to stay connected from the first start in Chicago through the final finish at Mackinac Island.
Watch the Race Start in Chicago
The Chicago lakefront offers one of the best opportunities to see the Race to Mackinac fleet before the boats head north.
The Cruising Division starts Friday, July 10, at 3:00 p.m. The Racing Division starts Saturday, July 11, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with class starts continuing into the afternoon.
Weather permitting, both fleets will begin with the Skyline Sprint, a spectator-friendly opening leg that sends the boats north along Chicago’s lakefront toward a turning mark near Montrose before they continue up Lake Michigan.
Fans can look for the fleet from Navy Pier north toward Diversey, Belmont and Montrose harbors. Because the course and timing may be adjusted based on conditions, follow the Race to Mackinac social channels for the latest start-line information.
Track Every Boat with YB Tracking
Once the fleet leaves Chicago, the best way to follow the race is through the official YB Tracker.
Each participating boat carries a tracking device, allowing fans to follow its progress as the fleet races up Lake Michigan, through the Straits of Mackinac and toward the finish.
Use the tracker to:
Search for a specific boat
Follow your family members or friends
Watch different routes develop across the lake
Compare boats within the fleet
See when teams are approaching Mackinac Island
The tracker can be viewed online or through the YB Races mobile app.
Follow Race Updates on Social Media
The tracker shows where the boats are. Race to Mackinac social coverage will help tell the story of what is happening along the way.
Follow the official Race to Mackinac accounts on Instagram and Facebook for coverage from Chicago, aboard boats throughout the fleet and from the finish at Mackinac Island.
Race-week coverage will include:
Start-line photos and video
Daily race updates
Weather and tracker insights
Onboard moments submitted by competitors
Notable tactical developments
Finish-line arrivals
Dockside reactions and celebrations
Follow @RaceToMackinac on Instagram and the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac on Facebook.
Sign Up for Race Updates
Want the stories behind the dots on the tracker?
Race to Mackinac email updates will bring key moments, onboard reports, race developments and finish coverage directly to your inbox.
Email is also one of the easiest ways for occasional fans to follow the broader story without constantly checking the tracker. We will help identify what is happening, which boats to watch and when the fleet may begin arriving at Mackinac Island.
Watch the Finish at Mackinac Island
For those on Mackinac Island, the finish provides an unforgettable view of boats completing their 333-mile journey.
The finish line runs between Windermere Point and Round Island Lighthouse. Windermere Point is one of the island’s most recognizable viewing locations, offering fans the chance to watch teams complete America’s Offshore Challenge.
Arrival times can vary significantly depending on boat speed, weather and conditions across the lake. Follow the YB Tracker and Race to Mackinac social channels to see when boats are approaching the island.
As the fleet arrives, look for finish coverage, dockside moments and stories from the sailors who have completed one of the most iconic challenges in sailing.
Follow the Mac from Start to Finish
From Chicago’s skyline to Round Island Lighthouse, the Race to Mackinac brings together competition, endurance, tradition and thousands of people following from shore.
Watch the starts. Pick a boat on the tracker. Follow the stories from the lake. And join us as the fleet races north toward a destination unlike any other.