Chicago Yacht Club has appointed Sam Veilleux to be the chairman of the 113th and 114th Races to Mackinac

Posted Dec 02, 2021

Chicago Yacht Club has appointed Sam Veilleux to be the chairman of the 113th and 114th Races to Mackinac taking place in 2022 and 2023. The announcement was made at the Race to Mackinac Awards Banquet held on November 6th at Monroe Station. More than 300 competitors, members of the sailing community and honored guests were in attendance. 

Sam is a longtime Chicago Yacht Club member, one-design and offshore sailor, and a US Sailing National Judge. In addition to competing in the Mac race in both the racing and cruising divisions, he has served the race as protest committee secretary and a Mac committee member. Sam has served on several other committees at the club and is currently a member of the club’s board of directors. 

Sam enjoys competing in one-design buoy racing and offshore distance races, as well cruising with his family and friends. When not sailing, he enjoys giving back to the sport by officiating at events in Chicago and around the country. He was recently accepted as a member of the Storm Trysail Club. 

Sam lives with his family in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and is frequently found at both the club’s Belmont and Monroe clubhouses.   

"I congratulate Sam on becoming the new Race Chair of this storied race," said Chicago Yacht Club Commodore Nick Berberian. "His on-the-water experience and involvement across the sailing community has prepared him well to be a steward of the Mac for the next two years." 

“The 2021 race was an overwhelming success – everyone was thankful to get back out on the water with their friends and family and experience this great event that was sorely missed in 2020. We are all appreciative of the work the past committee under Martin Sandoval did to pull off this event under extremely challenging circumstances," says Veilleux. "The Mac race isn’t just an event in July, it comes together due to the year-round efforts of our Mac Committee members, race volunteers, and club staff. For 2022, we will be focusing on the competitor experience by simplifying our race documents and competitor communications.  We’re also working diligently with US Sailing to improve the processes around the issuance of ORC Certificates, and with Mackinac Island to improve the docking experience at the conclusion of the race."

The 113th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac®  presented by Wintrust will start on July 23, 2022. The annual 333-mile race (289 nautical miles) includes more than 300 boats and 4,000 sailors with thousands of race fans following along online.