This needs to be more interactive, yes more video and pictures would be nice while the race in underway. But another thing you could do is create an interactive web site about the race. This would talk about the boats, the lake, the weather, the race itself, how to sail and the people. This site could be use as a elearning tool connected to webquests for all the students in the area and evenually world wide. Not only would students enjoy it, adults would also find useful information. One cute site on sailing is at http://www.macgregor.net/sailing/SailGame.html. This could also help with more interest in the press and on the internet.

My hat goes off to Torresen Marine, and its staff, for a great job done covering the 2004 Chicago to Mackinac Race. Of course you do a better job than the "official" race sponsor site. There's no question about it. The "official" site is lame, at best. They should be ashamed of themselves. Torresen has provided the public with a wonderful site and needs to be commended for it. As for improvements...hmmm... it is obviously not an easy task. All of the aforementioned obstacles such as exorbitant expense and inadequate tracking methods certainly hinder any sort of improvement efforts. I think you have a difficult task, at hand, here. What shocks and disappoints me is the media. They really do not give enough attention to this race. I was grossly disappointed with the major network's lack of coverage. I'm certain that I speak for all of us when I say that the Chgo/Mac participants are all respected and accomplished sailors who are, at the very least, entitled to a bit more coverage for their impressive feat, no matter what place they finish in. Why is the press so lax in their coverage? I think they are the ones who deserve a slap on the wrist. Anyway, to hell with the press. I toast all the sailors and Torresen for a fine job done...oh, yeah...and you, too, Charlie M. Way to Go! Where are you, anyway????? HA! Patty T.

This is my first time watching with a loved one (my daughter)in the race. I under stand your problems with coverage. None of the boats want thier GPS listed untill they are about to cross the finish line.
As for suggestions for improving - I was thinking of getting additional big sponsors like "Chicago" Pneumatics and "Mac"Donalds and perhaps have "Wide World of Sports" to ride the Goodyear Blimp with picture coverage. How about Verizon to set up some bouys "Can you hear me Now?" "Good! I also have your GPS."I am talking start planning for 2006 for the 100th race.
Perhaps we could have the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard set up communications platforms on ship board on the lake to give radar or satelite reports. If the racing captains had accurate wind, temperature and barometric readings at numerous locations along the rout to aid them they might be open to more detailed GPS coverage of their locations. I wish I was a financial wizzard to sugest creative ways to generate some big cash for the coverage.
It would be good to ask the captains and owners what they would like to see. A steady 15 knot wind machine from the south west might be unanimous.
For being independents I think you did a great job. Thanks for all you were able to do.

I must say I found this site to be more user friendly than the "official site". This was my first time following the race. I just wish there had been more information available about the boat I was watching. Its frustrating wondering what has happened to your loved ones. Keep up the good work.

Having made 24 Chicago-Mac races I can say with certainty that while racing (even in a drifter) the furthest thing from a competitors mind is whether or not loved ones on shore have news of the race.

One of the fun things about sailboat racing is that you get away from all your other troubles and responsibilities. For several days you focus intently on the task at hand.

Remember, even competitors out on the water usually have no idea where their competitors are. Boats have been known to "fudge" their call-in location so as to keep an advanatage (though this may be misguided!). By Sunday morning the boats are so spread out that seldom are more than a handful in sight. Even those are hard to identify unless spinnakers are flying. (Thus the trend to white chutes...no one knows who you are.)

I think that with the difficulties in gathering information and posting it in a timely manner that this site is actually doing a great job.

You will not get 100% tracking of boats. What is provided just gives a very general idea of where the fleet is spread out.

You will not get meaningful on-the-water interviews. If you did they would be "we're sailing along and the weather is nice". It takes awhile for sailors to create the stories that get told ashore...these are not spontaneous but need to be refined and enhanced with the aid of refreshments.

As far as the status of drop-outs and withdrawls, the Sailing Instructions provide for the competitor who drops-out to contact the Race Committee with their status and port of refuge.

This year the most likely reason for a drop-out is boredom, abundance of flies and other unknown-to-science insects, followed by lack of food, water, or ice, followed by a realization that by the time they get to the island on Wednesday or Thursday they won't have time to get home for dinner! Eventually it stops being fun. Cell phones don't work too well out on the lake, especially up North so they have to get to a land line to call home. Harbors are pretty far apart up North so they may need to do some serious powering (assuming adaquate fuel!)

Try calling the RC on Mackinac Island for this information. This year they probably have plenty of time on their hands!

Uncle Lar

I agree with Christine. I would like to have more information about some of the smaller boats in the Mack race. I have a son in the race and cannot seem to fine out anything about him or his boat, Latest Trick.
Charlotte

This is the first time that I've ever watched the race to Mackinac. I was a little concerned about the sailors and what could happen to them out on a big lake like Lake Michigan. I must say that I really appreciated the updates and the weather info. This site is very well put together and definitely put my mind at ease. You do a lot with the resourses and information available to you, so don't let a few harsh comments get you down. Keep up the good work! Hope to visit the site next year!

Ooops, I forgot CONDOR. Go CONDOR!

Thankful for everything you guys are doing ... It wasn't all that long ago, that we didn't have access to any of this sort of information. Great job. We've got a lot of sailors out there ready for a cold beer or three. Here's to them!

Bruce Hillyer
Former crew,
NORTHERN LIGHT
HERITAGE
LIMIT UP
SUMMER WINE
DEVASTATOR

Bob: Thanks Bob

Christine: Our coverage does not end until the last boat is finished. Again, we are searching for suggestions.....what do you suggest we do to improve.

Love the webcams, but as far as boats finishing and updating your website, you are lagging a little bit. It would be nice to know when the boats have finished. if you could keep your websites more up to date, that would be great. Love the races reports, they are great. Just need to keep finisher's up to date more.

Torresen has best on-line coverage I have found.
The web cams were great.

certainly better than CYC.

Regards to all

bob

pied piper retired

I wish some how people/family could find out where the boats in the back of the pack are!!! I have a husband on the lake some where and as of 7am Tuesday, when their withdrawal was posted, we don't know why or where they are now. Why does the coverage end even if boats are still sailing just not in the front of the pack.