Recently Stuart Streuli of Sailing World magazine was quoted as saying, “Outside of the area, when people say ‘the Mackinac race,’ the first race people think of is Chicago” “(Port Huron) is a close second in terms of importance and prestige.” What are some reasons for this?

Hmmm… it is the 98th sailing of the Chicago Mac, while the Bayview Yacht Club sponsored Port Huron race is in it’s 80th year.

The Chicago race carries a distance of 333 miles while the longer of the Port Huron courses is 253 miles.

I think an element of tradition and prestige that Chicago has is an essentially unchanging course. The Port Huron course has changed over the years. Even today there is a ’shore course’ option that is just over 200 miles. Insulting though it may be, I don’t count the Shore Course as a true offshore race.

One way in which the Port Huron race is superior is the pre race in atmosphere. For Port Huron the days prior to the race are red letter days. For Chicago it’s another event and a rather small one.

The ‘Huron’ mac has a reputation as being a more upwind race while the Chicago race is more for spinnaker specialists.

This year four Transpac 52’s have entered the Chicago Race while 0 are sailing Port Huron. Perhaps they buy this prestige argument?

To me since the Chicago race typically has more boats going truly offshore, when I hear mac race I think Chicago Mac. I’m sure this isn’t a universal opinion thought…..

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