Do you have what it takes to sail 333-miles from Chicago to the Northern tip of Lake Michigan? The Chicago Yacht Club race from Chicago to Mackinac Island — a.k.a. “the Mac” — is the world’s longest annual freshwater race. Celebrating its nautical heritage, Lands’ End will offer the opportunity to join the race. Anyone with a passion for sailing (experienced or not) can enter the Lands’ End Thrill of the Mac Essay Contest. One lucky winner could win a spot on board the Lands’ End yacht, “Guaranteed. Period.” alongside a savvy crew.

“Lands’ End is a classic American brand with roots in sailing,” says Ed Whitehead, chief marketing officer of Lands’ End. “Skippers have long relied on us for quality merchandise and world-class customer service. The Thrill of the Mac contest is a living, breathing way to cherish our sailing heritage and offer families an exciting opportunity to live out a dream.”

Entrants who submit an essay of up to 500 words describing why they think they are cut out to sail non-stop for approximately 60 hours up Lake Michigan to Mackinac could join the Lands’ End crew on a brand-new, 38-foot C&C 115 sailboat. The boat sets sail on July 16th for the 97th running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race. Prizes include travel and lodging for the winner and three family members at the majestic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. No cars, few people, and the Grand Hotel make Mackinac Island a perfect finish line for the Thrill of the Mac contest.

“Sailing on Lake Michigan is not like sailing in a mill pond,” says Randy Adolphs, fitness director at Lands’ End and a veteran sailor who will skipper Lands’ End’s “Guaranteed. Period.” along with a crew of eight to ten sailors including the Thrill of the Mac contest winner. “It’s very comparable to ocean racing, testing the world’s finest yachtsmen. If you have ever dreamed of long distance racing, or passage making, or of simply spending days and nights – sunny or gray, star filled or black as coal, of testing your mettle against the elements, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for you.”

The contest begins February 5, 2005. For a complete set of rules, visit landsend.com/rules. No purchase necessary. All entries must be received by March 31, 2005. Approximately fifty percent of the essay will be judged on the individual’s passion and desire to participate in the sailing race between the Chicago and Mackinac Island; forty percent of the essay will be judged on composition; and the remaining ten percent will be judged on the individual’s previous sailing experience, if any. No previous sailing experience is required. Winners will be selected on or about April 25, 2005, from among all eligible entries. Submit essays to “Thrill of the Mac,” Lands’ End, 2 Lands’ End Lane, Dodgeville, Wisconsin 53595.

Lands’ End is a sponsor of the 2005 Chicago Yacht Club Race. In addition, Lands’ End is title sponsor for the Sailing World Magazine sailing series property, the NOOD Regattas, starting in 2005. The National Offshore One Design Regattas, known as the “NOODs” are the largest and most popular sailboat racing series in North America.

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