Race to Mackinac 2016
Saturday, June 23, 2016
On Saturday, June 23rd, wave after wave of boats left Chicago toward Mackinac Island, Michigan, a distance of 333 miles. This was the 108th running of the annual race, sponsored by the Chicago Yacht Club. This year was a rough one. Severe thunderstorms swept through the passage from the Windy City to the Michigan resort town. A number of boats retired from the race. One boat, WhoDo, sank in the Manitou Passage. The crew of ten was rescued, taken onboard Mark Bremer's boat City Girl which dropped out of the race.
Arete, an ORMA60 multi-hull, captured line honors.
Bob DeClercq's Flying Buffalo, four-time Division winner, claimed the Mackinac Trophy and Natalie J, a Transpac 52 from Bayview Yacht Club, won the Mackinac Cup Division.
Utah crew
Arete
Flying Buffalo
Section 9 start - Wave Dancer
36.7 start - Joie de Vie
To view other photos from the Race to Mackinac Saturday starts, visit my nautical website at www.kihphoto.com. Prints are available for purchase.