This year the Chicago to Mackinac race will start on July 16th followed by the Port Huron Mac on the 23rd. This will be the 99th sailing of the Mac race.

There are many reasons to sail in the race. It could be completing a first Mackinac. It could be completing that 25th Mackinac, making you eligible to join the old goats. It maybe another race in your classes (J 105, J35, Farr 40, GL 70’s etc.) season series- albeit the longest one.

The course is a classic. In simple terms it takes the boats from one end of Lake Michigan to the other and often from one side to the other.

The race begins off Chicago’s skyline. At 1.5 miles from the Chicago coast the starting line is within sight of the city.

The starts tend to be under spinnaker. It’s the largest fleet of the year starting with spinnakers and often a dicey proposition. The first night sees strategic choices being made. The rhumb line is drawn on the chart and on race participation plaques but not always followed. There’ll be more spread in the fleet if the conditions are upwind. If so, you can have starboard tackers off Milwaukee in Wisconsin and port tackers off the Michigan shoreline. If it’s off the wind you’ll spend more time near the rhumb line often jibing back and forth crossing the imaginary line.

Mark Rudiger, the navigator on 2004 1st to finish Genuine Risk described their first night position this way “We went within 5 miles of shore the 1st night and tacked from a NNE wind to a NE wind and good pressure.”

The fleet stays spread out. Between Ludington and Two Rivers the lake is at it’s widest, a lot of area for even 300 boats. If there is light air boats may try to play the gradient breeze of either shore.
GPS’ are programmed to find Point Betsie. Once this sandy outcropping appears you are nearing the Manitou’s, a compulsory passage point for the fleet. The Islands funnel the fleet together and you can begin checking in with competitors.

Recently race officials have begun taking boats times as they cross the 45° latitude line in the Manitous.

The Manitou’s can be scenic and beautiful during the day giving a close look at the bright sand dunes of the Michigan shore. If you crossed over from the Wisconsin shore you saw a rockier and more forested coastline. For most of the fleet this is the area you are in for your second night. Hopefully the race is a 48 to 60 hour endeavor with only two nights of sailing.

Soon, another routing option presents itself. This is to sail to the west of the Manitous. This option to the west is a longer one. However, you may benefit from more wind or a more favorable angle.
Once past the Manitou’s you are on course for Greys Reef. The course is narrow here. There are as many opinions on this as there are wind directions.

Greys Reef is a narrow light and buoy filled channel. You’ll meet up with the Great Lakes commercial fleet here. At the end of the Passage you swing right making for the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. As with the Chicago skyline, this landmark is visible for miles.

Often the last phase of the race, from the Bridge to the finish line, can be the most frustrating. You are in the lead of your class… the wind dies as you pass the bridge with the finish in sight. For those behind, the wind stays and 100’s of spinnakers come sailing up to you. It can be a situation where days of lead building can be cast away in an hour’s time.

Once you’ve arrived at the dock on Mackinac Island you not only have finished the race, you have likely completed a pretty complete tour of one of the Great Lakes.

Once again this race will use the Americap scoring system. Curiously race officials have announced “The course configuration for 2005 will be selected on Friday afternoon prior to the race and announced at the skippers meeting to provide the greatest possible match of handicaps to anticipated weather. This decision will be based on the weather forecast data available at the time.” We’ll see how pleasing this is to the sailors!

As of this writing 235 entries have been received including the Transpac 52 Beau Geste. This boat intended to compete last year, but it’s mast was broken while being trucked to the area.

Many of the bigger record capable boats will be competing in the Transpac this year. This includes Genuine Risk, Windquest, Rosebud and more.

Torresen Marine’s http://www.chicagmomackinac.com will once again be your source for unofficial, independent race coverage. If you would like to be included in the coverage please complete the form found at http://www.chicagomackinac.com/questionnaire/

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