Fleet to race five miles along Chicago’s lakefront for unprecedented public viewing
CHICAGO, April 9, 2025 – The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust today introduced an exciting new course for the 2025 race, celebrating the Club’s 150th Anniversary by offering fans and the public unprecedented viewing opportunities as the fleet races close to shore.
A new five nautical mile leg – dubbed the “Skyline Sprint” – will see both the racing and cruising fleets race along Chicago’s north lakefront towards a turning mark located .6 nautical miles east of the Wilson Avenue Breakwater Light near Montrose Harbor.
The “Lakeshore Legacy Mark” has been incorporated into the course to honor the Chicago Yacht Club’s 150th Anniversary and its enduring legacy as a cornerstone of the city’s lakefront.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the Skyline Sprint to both our competitors and fans, as well as to the public,” said Race Chairman Winn Soldani. “With over 300 boats racing close to shore in front of tens of thousands of Chicagoans, this will offer some of the most exciting and accessible viewing in the history of the Chicago Yacht Club.”
Those eager to watch the Skyline Sprint will have plenty of opportunities. In addition to Montrose Harbor, race organizers pointed out that there will be excellent viewing as the fleet passes just off the Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station.
Race organizers underscored that the new course is weather dependent and that race organizers will make adjustments should conditions require. As it currently stands, after passing the Lakefront Legacy Mark, teams will be free to adjust to their proper course as per the Race’s sailing instructions.
The Mac Race is scheduled to begin on July 18th and 19th, promising to be one of the largest in recent memory, with 317 boats already registered and entries approaching capacity.
All interested entries are encouraged to register before the June 1st entry deadline. In honor of CYC’s 150th Anniversary, qualified new entries may also receive $150 off their entry fee to help offset the startup costs to get their boat “race ready.”
To learn more about entering the 2025 Race to Mackinac, please visit the race entry guide by clicking here.