CHICAGO and MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich., July 24, 2023 – The dreaded “light and variable” wind forecast has descended upon the boats still racing in the 114th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, stalling the fleet in northern Lake Michigan.
As of 3 pm EDT, there are 155 of 240 boats still on the race course, reporting boat speeds of 0.00 to five knots according to the YB Tracker. Just two of the 103 boats in the Chicago-Mackinac Trophy section (boats under 40 feet) have been able to finish, and with a bleak forecast for the afternoon, this year’s edition is quickly turning into a test of patience, and potential food and water rationing.
Overnight and into Monday, 42 boats in the 98-boat Mackinac Cup section – boats 40 feet and above – and the majority of the faster Cruising boats – managed to glide into the finish before the wind shut off.
It has been quite a debut for Final Final in its first Race to Mackinac, and for most of the crew, it’s their first freshwater race, as the team is the provisional winner in the 10-boat Section 2. The Mills 41 owner Jon Desmond said he and the crew spent most of last winter campaigning the boat in the Caribbean and typically race on the East Coast. “But if you grow up sailing or doing any distance racing, the Mac is one of those races everyone talks about,” said Desmond, from Cohasset, Mass. “Our team has wanted to do some bucket list events, and the Mac race is definitely one of them.
“I think the biggest difference racing here rather than on the ocean is how often you have to adjust your plan,” said Desmond. “We quickly realized it doesn’t matter what the forecast and routers are telling you, it changes all the time. With the little squalls that came through, we were constantly adjusting. I think we did almost 15 sail changes in the first three hours of the race.”
The competing boats are piling up as they trickle their way into Grays Reef and make it through the Straits, as the light air light air is expected to continue into the evening hours.
Finishers and provisional results are HERE.
HOW TO WATCH: Live Race Tracking and CYCRTM social media
YB Race Tracking
Fans will be able to follow both the cruising and racing fleets via YB Tracking HERE. Each boat is equipped with a satellite tracker that sends GPS information (location, speed, and direction) every 15 minutes and displays the location and track on the race course.
Social Media
Race organizers will be actively posting updates to CYC Race to Mackinac Social Media. We encourage all fans to follow the race on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and stay engaged with the race as much as possible!
About the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac: “America’s Offshore Challenge™”
The Chicago Yacht Club Race to MackinacⓇ is one of the world’s largest annual offshore regattas, drawing top-notch sailing talent from around North 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 famous Navy Pier. While passing through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the world on the 333-mile race route (289 nautical miles), the fleet faces the storms, reefs, calms, and competition that truly make it “America’s Offshore Challenge™.”