Racing Division Sets Sail in 2026 Race to Mackinac
208 teams delivered a dramatic tacking battle along the Chicago lakefront before heading north into a pivotal overnight wind shift
The 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is fully underway after 208 Racing Division boats started Saturday morning in ideal upwind conditions.
The “Skyline Sprint,” introduced last year in celebration of Chicago Yacht Club’s 150th anniversary, provided Chicagoans the opportunity to see the 208 Racing Division boats engaged in intense tacking battles along the shoreline towards the turning mark near Montrose Harbor.
The Cruising Division, which began yesterday afternoon, is currently passing Big Sable Point, with the first boats predicted to arrive at Mackinac Island on Sunday afternoon.
As the fleets move north, attention now turns to the approaching wind shift and whether the faster Racing Division boats can close the gap on the Cruising Division before the first finishers reach Mackinac Island on Sunday.
How teams anticipate and manage that transition could play a decisive role in determining who reaches the podium. Race fans can follow every move through the virtual race tracker.
Live 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 and Instagram and stay engaged with the race as much as possible!