If you think you see some new faces around the docks in the lead up to the 115th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, you’re not wrong. Nearly 20 percent of the 2,200 sailors on board the 250 entries are about to experience their first “Mac”.

This year, the Mac Committee made a concerted effort to encourage and attract new sailors to the race known as America’s Offshore Challenge, and with 26 new boats and 380 new competitors, the efforts paid off.

“It’s a really big deal to do this race for the first time plus an impressive accomplishment and we want to celebrate that,” said Winn Soldani, Race to Mackinac chairman. “As a race, we’ve done a good job recognizing the Goats (those who have done the race 25 times or more) and the traditions too, so let’s recognize the people new to the Race.”

One way the Club is recognizing the ‘newbies’ is a beautiful trophy called Mark H. Baxter Memorial Trophy. Named after the first Race chairman in 1972-73, the trophy will be awarded to the fastest corrected time finish for a first-time boat/skipper in each division.

Those teams eligible for the Mark H. Baxter Memorial Trophy include:

Cruising DivisionRacing DivisionDouble HandedSarah Bernadette IIArchimedes III18 DegreesSchadenfreudeAustral SequelBrando Halcyon IIDeTour Elyse Endeavor Moxie Nautical Sun Nyclosaur Thunderbolt Volant Underdog Vytis Sleeper Good Lookin’ Aeolus Afterburn Foreign Exchange George Casey Hooligan

Additionally, a post-race celebration brunch at Mission Point Resort awaits the first-timers, and their friends and family on Tuesday, July 16.

The 115th edition of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust kicks off today, July 12, with the start of the Cruising Division followed by the start of the Racing Division tomorrow, July 13.

You always remember your first Mac Race

Stay in the know