Sailors began making their way from Chicago to Mackinac Island on Saturday morning.
The racing division of the Race to Mackinac took off from Monroe Harbor. The first sailors began their journey at 9 a.m.
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The race, spanning over 300 miles into Michigan, brings sailors from all over the world to compete. The event is considered the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world.
The Race to Mackinac is now on its 117th year and is the Chicago Yacht Club’s signature sailing event. This year, there are 2,000 sailors competing on 252 boats total.
The race’s unpredictable weather and shifting winds on Lake Michigan serve as a challenge for sailors. The event goes on, rain or shine.
For many participants, the race is about more than competition.
“It’s for the excitement. We all graduated high school together, so this is kind of our thing we do,” sailor Michael Hoey said.
Hoey and his crew are making the journey aboard their 1985 Artemis, a boat that will take on the more than 300-mile course to Mackinac Island. The race is designed to test sailors’ skills and endurance over the long-distance trek.
Chicago Yacht Club Commodore Laura Sigmond said the race remains a major draw for sailors from near and far.
“This is a bucket list race for a lot of racers, not only locally but literally around the world,” Sigmond said.
Preparing for the event requires extensive planning and attention to safety, she said.
“There definitely needs to be some at least basic skill level. I think the more important part is safety and that’s where a lot of the preparation goes in well ahead of time before you even reach the docks and the starting line,” Sigmond said.
Sailor Timmy Dittrich said competitors must stay current on safety requirements and spend significant time training on the water.
“You have to make sure all of your safety certificates are up to date to remind you that that this is in a sense a dangerous sport. Recovery is arduous and we always pray that no one goes over. But in terms of sailing, keep sailing. Get out there every week. Get out there twice a week, whatever it takes to make sure that you’ve got a well oiled machine,” Dittrich said.
The length of the race can vary considerably depending on conditions. According to Sigmond, some crews may spend days on the course.
“The journey can take up to two and a half days. The record was broken a couple years ago which was about 22 hours, so under a day. So that’s super fast,” Sigmond said.
For many sailors, the race is also a chance to reconnect with friends and enjoy the experience of sailing on the Great Lakes.
“I call it Christmas in July. It is just to meet with old friends, you go sailing with good friends and to be here in Chicago and then end on the island. It’s just magical,” Dittrich said.
As the fleet heads north toward Mackinac Island, competitors will face a challenging journey that combines endurance, preparation and tradition in one of sailing’s most recognized events.
