Mockingbird Leads Provisional Standings After Overnight Storm in 2026 Race to Mackinac
All competitors are safe following a strong line of thunderstorms that swept across the fleet in northern Lake Michigan overnight during the 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust.
Sailors reported winds exceeding 35 knots as the storm moved through, with winds causing several teams to experience moderate damage, including one report of a broken rudder and another of a mast failure.
As of 8:00 a.m. EDT Monday, 15 boats had retired from the race. All crews are accounted for and safe.
Despite the challenging night, 48 teams have crossed the finish line at Mackinac Island, with the fleet spread from the Straits of Mackinac down south along the Lake Michigan shoreline experiencing downwind conditions that are expected to continue through tomorrow.
The bulk of the fleet is expected to finish throughout the day Monday, with arrivals continuing well into Tuesday morning.
Chris Duhon’s GL52 Mockingbird was the first boat to finish in the Racing Division, crossing the line just after sunset Sunday. The team currently sits atop the provisional standings for the
Mackinac Trophy, awarded to the overall winner among the larger boats in the Racing Division.
Duhon said his team faced a challenging race, describing an early "drag race" with the GL52 Natalie J before gradually working their way through the boats in Class 1. A strong start, favorable conditions, and the relentless effort of his crew ultimately made the difference. “This year is really special. To get out and have a good start and chipping a little bit to the leads.”
Duhon was quick to credit both his competitors and crew for the hard-fought victory. “My competitors are amazingly great sailors, and my team is very good, and they worked hard.”
Mockingbird’s position remains provisional as hundreds of competitors continue racing toward Mackinac Island. Corrected results are determined using each boat’s handicap rating, allowing boats of different sizes and designs to compete for the overall trophy.