From the afternoon start and into the first night of the race winds have been from the north in the low double digits. This perhaps exceeded some expectations.

However, as night falls, the wind is dropping especially to the north. While the south weather buoy still shows 13.6 knots there is 6.7 knots at Muskegon and only 1.9 knots at the North Weather buoy.

Race organizers have a tracking device on Genuine Risk, the 90 footer expected to be first to finish. With round the world navigator Mark Rudiger on board Genuine Risk sailed north until off Waukegan and then changed course and is headed for the Michigan side of the lake.

Will they close with the Michigan shore expecting better wind? Or will they soon tack and head north without trying the shore? That’s the type of things that all crews are noodling on.

Chicago Mackinac.com will offer expanded coverage this year of what should be an interesting race. As soon as the race started in Chicago we headed toward Mackinac Island where we will report on the progress of the race. This year’s coverage includes web cameras that will cover the finish line from two angles. You will be able to see the finishes, as they happen from thechicagomackinac.com web site. (Cameras should be in place and operational starting late Sunday afternoon.)

If you would like to provide any information or have any questions, please contact the chicagomackinac.com on-the-scene reporter at info@chicagomackinac.com

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