Will “Red, White & Blue” return to defend their title?

Posted Mar 09, 2020

In 2019, The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust unveiled its inaugural team challenge trophy: The Point Betsie Trophy. Three boats, one from each Division, joined forces to win with the lowest cumulative team score. As this summer’s race approaches, the question lingers… will the 2019 Champion, Team “Red, White and Blue”, return to defend their title? 

“Red, White and Blue”, comprised of three Chicago Yacht Club member boats Eagle (Chicago Mackinac Trophy), Intangible (Cruising), and Providence (Mackinac Cup), edged out Team “A Goat, A Bear & A Penguin walk into a bar....” to take the win in the 111th running of the ‘Mac’. 

The Storm Trysail Club sponsored this exciting way to compete in the Race to Mackinac in 2019 and returns again in 2020. The winners of the Point Betsie Trophy will be in good company; similar trophies are awarded in the Transpac, Transatlantic, Newport to Ensenada Races, and Block Island Race Week. The Newport Bermuda Race also has a similar team competition.

"The Team Challenge provides competitors across divisions an opportunity to leverage their collective efforts in a race that is already an endurance test," said CYCRTM Race Chairman Martin Sandoval. “The quest for the Point Betsie Trophy gives competitors another reason to celebrate their efforts.” 

Applications are now open for the Team Challenge for the Point Betsie Trophy. In order to compete, teams of three monohull boats join together to race against other three-boat teams. The team of boats with the best combined percentage placement in their divisions will prevail. To be eligible, teams must be formed from boats racing in at least two of the three monohull divisions and may have no more than one cruising division boat. Additionally, a boat may only participate on one team. Although boats traditionally form teams under a club burgee, it is not necessary to enter under a yacht club name.

“As so many Mac racers learned last year, the team competition promotes camaraderie across boats and adds another fun element to the competition,” said Storm Trysail Club Commodore AJ Evans. As a club that promotes offshore sailing, we’re pleased to present the three winner’s trophies to one of the world’s most popular offshore races.”

To enter, a team must complete the entry form available for download on the Official Notice Board and return it to the CYC Regatta Manager by June 15. As a reminder, no boat may enter as part of more than one team, therefore it’s a good idea to talk with your fellow competitors and club members now and form your team as soon as possible.

About the Point Betsie Trophy: This trophy was first awarded during the 100th running of the Race to Mackinac. It has since served as the Yacht Club Challenge Trophy and now makes the natural transition to recognize the new team challenge. It is named after Michigan’s Point Betsie, often the first piece of land seen by racers after they head across Lake Michigan.