News: 2019 Race

In keeping with tradition, Chicago Yacht Club formally announced their changeover in chairmanship for the 112th and 113th Race to Mackinac at the annual Awards Ceremony last month. Ex Officio chair of the 110nd and 111th races, Sarah Renz introduced Martin Sandoval at the completion of the awards ceremony that was attended by over 450 members of the sailing community and Chicago Yacht Club officers.

Mr. Sandoval previously served as vice-chairman of the 111th running of the race. He is a member of Chicago Yacht Club, has served on the committee for the 107th, 108th and 111th races, served on the board of directors, and chaired the Verve Regatta for three years. Mr. Sandoval has competed in nineteen races with over twelve podium finishes. 

"The committee has undertaken a strategic review of the 111th race over the past four months with the objective of continually improving upon the event experience," said Sandoval. "Safety will remain a focus as we strive to deliver a memorable race for all. It is an honor to be a steward of this storied club tradition."

Save the date! The Race to Mackinac Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 6 pm at Chicago Yacht Club's Monroe Station.

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Marlow Ropes is pleased to announce that the UK- & US-based cordage manufacturer is the Official Rope Supplier for the 2019 edition of Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac™ (CYCRTM), presented by Wintrust. Kicking off on July 12 and 13, 2019, 270 cruising and racing boats will begin the 111th edition of America's Offshore Challenge™ against the magnificent Chicago skyline, and finish 333 statute miles (289nm) at historic Mackinac Island.

Already this spring, water levels on the combined Lake Huron - Lake Michigan body of water are near levels not seen since the 1980s. With water levels forecast to increase before this summer’s Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, racers who are planning on docking on the Island should be prepared for challenging conditions.

A successful 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac (CYCRTM) presented by Wintrust is in the books as the final competitors made their way to the finish line early Tuesday morning. Of the 266 boats that began either Friday (Cruising) or Saturday (Racing) in Chicago, a resounding 265 finished and marked one of the highest completion rates in recent years.

Beating the sunrise, the 60’ trimaran Earth Voyager glided through the finish line as the first racing boat to finish the 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust just after 5 a.m. EDT, three hours ahead of the first monohull to finish, the TP 52 Windquest.

Beating the sunrise, the 60’ trimaran Earth Voyager glided through the finish line as the first racing boat to finish the 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust just after 4 a.m., three hours ahead of the first monohull to finish, the TP 52 Windquest.

The 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is underway and the predicted light-air conditions have blanketed Lake Michigan, providing a peaceful but slow go overnight and into Sunday for the 266 boats racing.

The Cruising Division set sail Friday in better-than-forecasted conditions, a sign that the 266 competitors hope bode well for the weekend ahead in the 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, despite a light-air forecast.

As part of an ongoing partnership with the Chicago Yacht Club, Wintrust returns as presenting sponsor of the globally-recognized offshore race, the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac®. The 111th edition of the Race known as America’s Offshore Challenge™ brings together 270 boats and 2,300 sailors from around the world to compete in the 333-mile course up Lake Michigan. This year’s Race begins Friday, July 12, for the Cruising Division, and Saturday, July 13, for the Racing Divisions.