Chicago Yacht Club announces cancellation of 2020 Race to Mackinac

Posted Jun 05, 2020

CHICAGO- The Chicago Yacht Club and the Race to Mackinac (CYCRTM) Committee announced today that it has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Race to Mackinac due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is one of the world’s largest annual offshore races, drawing top-notch sailing talent from around America and the world. Known as ‘The Mac’ to everyone in the region, the 333-statute mile (289 nautical mile) race typically starts each July just off Chicago’s Navy Pier and finishes at Mackinac Island, Michigan. 

“Since late February, our committee has been following a patient, pragmatic approach to understanding the imposed limitations required to comply with governmental guidelines as a consequence of the pandemic.”  said Martin Sandoval, Race Chairman. “Unfortunately, the crew limitations required to maximize social distancing which were adopted by the State of Illinois; no release of boating guidelines from the City of Chicago; and uncertainty as to when the Chicago lakefront and harbors will open impacted our ability to conduct a safe race for all competitors.”

Starting in 1898 with a mere five boats, The Mac has evolved into a world-class sporting event. The last year the race was cancelled was 1920, due to the strains of World War I. Since 1921, the Race to Mackinac has run consecutively every year, drawing up to 400 boats to the starting line each summer. 

“We share in the disappointment of the sailing community, having to postpone the 112th running of the race until next year, but certainly understand the paramount safety concerns” said Ed Wehmer, Wintrust CEO. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Chicago Yacht Club this season with its philanthropic activities focused on Chicagoland’s many communities.”

“We’re thankful to Wintrust, our presenting sponsor, for supporting us in this process as well as our many other sponsors.  Many thanks go out to our friends on Mackinac Island who welcome us all each July.” said Lou Sandoval, Chicago Yacht Club Commodore. “It is with heavy hearts that we cancel this year’s race, but the ability to run a safe event with consideration of the health and well-being of all participants and volunteers needs to take precedence.” 

The 112th running of ‘The Mac’ will be scheduled for July 16 and 17, 2021. Race organizers are asking invited competitors to consider donating all or a portion of their 2020 entry fee to the Mackinac Island Community Foundation Essential Needs COVID-19 Response fund. 

About Chicago Yacht Club

Founded in 1875, the Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Its mission is to encourage, promote, and develop knowledge, participation, and enjoyment of all aspects of yachting. To that end, the Club hosts many world class competitions and Predicted-Log events, including its signature Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac and numerous North American and World Championships. The Club is also recognized as a leader in sailing education, with one of the largest junior sailing programs in the United States. The Club is home to nearly 1500 members, including winning America’s Cup skippers, Olympic medalists and hopefuls, and outstanding boaters of all types, from ages 4 to 104. The Club offers an array of spectacular off-the-water amenities, including fine dining, full-service catering and year-round activities for its diverse membership at two locations on the city’s shoreline, at Monroe and Belmont Harbors. Learn more at chicagoyachtclub.org.

About the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac®: "America’s Offshore Challenge™"

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is one of the world’s largest annual offshore races, drawing top-notch sailing talent from around America and the world.  Known as ‘The Mac’ to everyone in the region, the ultimate test of Great Lakes navigation starts each July just off Chicago’s Navy Pier. Passing through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the world on the 333-statute mile (289nm) race route, the fleet faces the storms, reefs, calms and competition that truly make it "America’s Offshore Challenge." For more information visit www.cycracetomackinac.com

About Wintrust

Wintrust is a financial holding company with assets of approximately $36 billion whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Built on the “HAVE IT ALL” model, Wintrust offers sophisticated technology and resources of a large bank while focusing on providing service-based community banking to each and every customer. Wintrust operates fifteen community bank subsidiaries with over 170 banking locations located in the greater Chicago and southern Wisconsin market areas. Additionally, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units including business units which provide commercial and life insurance premium financing in the United States, a premium finance company operating in Canada, a company providing short-term accounts receivable financing and value-added out-sourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, a business unit engaging primarily in the origination and purchase of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market throughout the United States, and companies providing wealth management services and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges.