Mackinac Boat Race: When Does It Happen?

when is the mackinac boat race

There are two annual boat races that conclude in the Straits of Mackinac: the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac and the Bayview Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, also known as The Mac, is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world, dating back to 1898. It starts in Chicago near Navy Pier and covers 333 miles of Lake Michigan. The Bayview Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, on the other hand, is one of the longest freshwater races in the world, with over 200 boats entering each year. It starts in Port Huron and covers almost 300 miles of Lake Huron. Both races finish at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Characteristics Values
Date July 12-16, 2024
Organiser Chicago Yacht Club
Location Lake Michigan
Distance 333 miles
Start Point Chicago near Navy Pier
End Point Mackinac Island
Number of Boats 300+
Participants Sailors from 15 US states, Ontario, Switzerland, and Hong Kong
Divisions Cruising Division, Racing Division
Registration Opens December 2, 2024

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The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

The race attracts sailors from all over the world, including the United States, Ontario, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. It is primarily an amateur event, but it also attracts some of the finest sailing talent in the sport. The race typically features more than 300 boats, with both amateur and professional sailing crews. The boats start in waves and race through the night, with their times adjusted based on size and style to allow for a fair competition.

The race usually takes place in July, with the cruising division kicking off on a Friday and the racing division starting on a Saturday. In 2024, the race took place from July 12 to July 16, with online registration opening on December 2, 2023. The Chicago Yacht Club unveiled a special edition of the race to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

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The Bayview Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

The race begins in the waters of Lower Lake Huron, 4.5 miles north of the Blue Water Bridge, and finishes in the Round Island Channel off Mackinac Island, Michigan. There are two courses: the Shore Course, which sails up the Michigan shoreline, and the Cove Island Course, which takes boats around a buoy off Cove Island in northeast Lake Huron. Both courses converge at Mackinac Island, where spectators can view the finish line from various locations, including Fort Mackinac and Mission Point Resort.

The race typically starts on a Saturday afternoon, with the smallest boats setting off first and the largest boats crossing the starting line last. Boats begin finishing at Mackinac Island on Sunday evening, with the last boats arriving on Tuesday morning. The race is known for its festive atmosphere, with celebrations and parties taking place along the Black River in Port Huron on the Friday night before the race.

The race is a prestigious event, attracting participants from all over the world and is known for its strict safety enforcements, with Bayview Yacht Club taking pride in never having had a fatality in the race's history.

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The Port Huron to Mackinac Race

The race is organised by the Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit and was first held in 1925. It takes place in the Great Lakes, starting in Port Huron, Michigan, and sailing north through Lake Huron to finish at Mackinac Island. The race features two courses: the Shore Course, sailing up the Michigan shoreline, and the Cove Island Course, which takes boats into Canadian waters around a buoy near Cove Island at the entrance to Georgian Bay. Both courses converge at Mackinac Island for the finish.

The Bayview Mackinac Race has become an integral part of Great Lakes history, Michigan history, and sailing history. It is a highly anticipated event, with celebrations and festivities taking place at the start in Port Huron and at the finish on Mackinac Island.

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The Chicago-to-Mackinac race history

The Chicago-to-Mackinac race, also known as the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, is the oldest and longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world. It covers a distance of 333 miles (289 nautical miles or 536 kilometres) from Chicago, Illinois to Mackinac Island, Michigan.

The race was first held in 1898, with five boats competing. The sloop Vanenna won the first race, finishing in 52 hours, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds. After the inaugural edition, the race was not held for five years until 1904. It gained popularity quickly, and by 1906, the original Mackinac trophy was purchased. The race has been held annually since 1921, except in 2020 when it was cancelled.

The Chicago-to-Mackinac race has a rich history spanning over a century. It has faced occasional challenges due to violent weather, particularly in 1911, 1937, and 1970. In 1911, gale-force winds caused most of the fleet to be taken down, leading to a change in the finish location for the next two years. The race course has also undergone several changes throughout its history, with the original course starting in Lake Michigan, traversing Lake Huron, and finishing near Mackinac Island.

The race attracts several hundred competitors and over 3,000 sailors each year, making it a significant event in the sailing community. It is known for its unpredictable weather and fickle winds, which make it a demanding and exciting challenge for participants. The race has also seen its share of dramatic incidents, such as the 2011 capsizing of the boat WingNuts, resulting in two fatalities, and the man overboard incident involving Callisto crew member Shawn Dougherty in 2024.

The Chicago-to-Mackinac race is organised and managed by the Chicago Yacht Club and has become a prestigious event, attracting sailors from all over the world. It is a test of strength, endurance, strategy, and willpower, with participants navigating unpredictable weather conditions and striving to outperform each other.

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The Bayview Mackinac Race history

The Bayview Mackinac Race, organised by the Bayview Yacht Club of Detroit, Michigan, is recognised as one of the most challenging freshwater boat races in the world. It is also the longest-running consecutive freshwater race in the world, having been sailed every year since 1925.

The race begins in Port Huron, Michigan, and ends at Mackinac Island, with boats traversing the length of Lake Huron. There are two courses: the Shore Course, which sails up the Michigan shoreline, and the Cove Island Course, which takes boats around a buoy off Cove Island in northeast Lake Huron. Both courses converge at Mackinac Island for the finish.

The inaugural race in 1925 was won by the sloop Bernida, skippered by Russ Pouliot, which beat 12 competing yachts. Over the years, dozens of divisions and classes of boats were added, with over 200 boats entering the race each year. The race has continued through wars and economic depressions, even receiving encouragement from President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.

The Bayview Mackinac Race has become an integral part of Great Lakes history, Michigan history, and sailing history. It has a rich legacy of competition, perseverance, and camaraderie, attracting sailors and spectators alike to the shores of Michigan's Great Lakes.

Frequently asked questions

The Bayview Mackinac Race takes place in July. The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac also takes place in July.

The Bayview Mackinac Race is almost 300 miles long. The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is 333 miles long.

The Bayview Mackinac Race first took place in 1925. The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is older, having started in 1898.

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