Registration is Open for the 102nd Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Veuve Clicquot
February 4, 2010 (CHICAGO) – Over 100 sailors have already registered for the 102nd Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Veuve Clicquot, which starts on July 23-24, 2010 in Chicago. Over 550 invitations were issued to past competitors on February 1, and with such a tremendous response in just days, Chicago Yacht Club anticipates another big fleet. Last year’s race saw nearly 350 entrants begin the 333 mile sailing adventure on Lake Michigan. Invitations to first time racers will go out on March 1.
New for 2010, Chicago Yacht Club is proud to introduce Veuve Clicquot as presenting sponsor. “This is a fabulous pairing,” stated Mac Chairman Greg Freeman, “as both Veuve Clicquot and Chicago Yacht Club are known worldwide for their history of excellence and quality - in fine champagnes and in yacht racing.” Chicago Yacht Club will also offer 100% tracking coverage included, at no extra cost to the competitor. GPS tracking has enabled friends, family and colleagues to watch the race online, and brought more than 250,000 unique visitors to the Race website last year. The 2010 race entrance fee is $13 per foot, the same as it was in 2008.
Sailors who want more information should read the 2010 Notice of Race and Safety Regulations (Click Here for Monohull or Click Here for Multihull) available here on the Race website. Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is an invitation only race. If you wish to enter the race for the first time, or after an extended absence, you will need to complete the Request for Invitation (RFI) process. Only RFIs that are complete and have been approved by the Mac Race Selections Committee will receive an Invitation. If you have any questions about this process, contact our Race Coordinator at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org.
About Chicago Yacht Club: The Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Today, the club boasts a membership of nearly 1500 boating enthusiasts, and is one of the preeminent organizers of regattas, races and predicted-log events in the United States. The club offers an array of spectacular off-the-water amenities, including fine dining and full-service catering at both its Monroe and Belmont stations.
About the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac: At 333 miles (289.4 nautical miles), the Race to Mackinac is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. ‘The Mac’ starts at the Chicago Lighthouse, just off Navy Pier and continues to Mackinac Island. Competing boats cross the finish line between the lighthouse on Round Island and a fixed mark on Mackinac Island. 2009 marked the 101st Running of the Race to Mackinac in which 350 boats competed.
About Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin: Since its creation in 1772, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin played an instrumental role in establishing and evolving the champagne industry as we know it today. Located in Reims, France, Veuve Clicquot prides itself on utilizing only the most distinct grapes from their vineyards for each bottle. Now, over 200 years later, Veuve Clicquot Champagne inspires the world to 'Be Clicquot': modern, audacious and premium quality. These values, set forth by the ground-breaking and extraordinary Madame Clicquot and maintained by generations of Clicquot drinkers, promise a remarkable experience with each sip of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
