News: Press Releases

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Committee and Bayview Yacht Club Mackinac Race Authority announced today that each has adopted the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) rating, or handicap, rule to correct the elapsed time difference of competing boats and put them on the same level. The new rating rule will go into effect for the 112th running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, which will start on July 16 & 17, 2021 and the 97th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race, which will start on July 24, 2021.

CHICAGO - The Chicago Yacht Club and the Race to Mackinac (CYCRTM) Committee announced today that it has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Race to Mackinac due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac® presented by Wintrust (CYCRTM) is excited to announce that the event has been selected by US Sailing as the Double-Handed Worlds Qualifier in preparation for the 2024 Olympics. The boat selected for this US qualifier is the J/88, and the CYCRTM plans to host a special division for the Mixed Offshore Double-handed discipline, for both a one-design fleet as well as a rated ORC fleet in J-88s, in the 112th running of the race this summer. 

In keeping with tradition, Chicago Yacht Club formally announced their changeover in chairmanship for the 112th and 113th Race to Mackinac at the annual Awards Ceremony last month. Ex Officio chair of the 110nd and 111th races, Sarah Renz introduced Martin Sandoval at the completion of the awards ceremony that was attended by over 450 members of the sailing community and Chicago Yacht Club officers.

Mr. Sandoval previously served as vice-chairman of the 111th running of the race. He is a member of Chicago Yacht Club, has served on the committee for the 107th, 108th and 111th races, served on the board of directors, and chaired the Verve Regatta for three years. Mr. Sandoval has competed in nineteen races with over twelve podium finishes. 

"The committee has undertaken a strategic review of the 111th race over the past four months with the objective of continually improving upon the event experience," said Sandoval. "Safety will remain a focus as we strive to deliver a memorable race for all. It is an honor to be a steward of this storied club tradition."

Marlow Ropes is pleased to announce that the UK- & US-based cordage manufacturer is the Official Rope Supplier for the 2019 edition of Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac™ (CYCRTM), presented by Wintrust. Kicking off on July 12 and 13, 2019, 270 cruising and racing boats will begin the 111th edition of America's Offshore Challenge™ against the magnificent Chicago skyline, and finish 333 statute miles (289nm) at historic Mackinac Island.

A successful 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac (CYCRTM) presented by Wintrust is in the books as the final competitors made their way to the finish line early Tuesday morning. Of the 266 boats that began either Friday (Cruising) or Saturday (Racing) in Chicago, a resounding 265 finished and marked one of the highest completion rates in recent years.

Beating the sunrise, the 60’ trimaran Earth Voyager glided through the finish line as the first racing boat to finish the 111th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust just after 5 a.m. EDT, three hours ahead of the first monohull to finish, the TP 52 Windquest.

Known as “America’s Offshore Challenge™,” the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac® (CYCRTM) presented by Wintrust is shaping up to be all of that and more for its 110th year. With potentially fierce northerly conditions forecast, race organizers are emphasizing preparation and safety for the 306 registered competitors.

NAUTIC-ON is very proud to be an official sponsor for the 2018 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac® (CYCRTM) presented by Wintrust. Started in 1898, the storied “Mac” is known as #AmericasOffshoreChallenge™, bringing over 300 boats annually and more than 3,500 participants to Chicago for the 333-statute mile (289 nautical mile) race from Chicago to Michigan’s Mackinac Island.

Only one month remains until the 310 boats entered in the 110th Chicago Yacht Club Race to MackinacⓇ (CYCRTM) presented by Wintrust, take on the best and worst Lake Michigan will throw at them across the 289-nautical mile race course. The Cruising Division begins Friday, July 20, while the high-octane Racing Division sets sail Saturday, July 21.