CHICAGO YACHT CLUB RACE TO MACKINAC 
PRESENTED BY LEXUS

The World’s Longest Freshwater Race

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Lexus, also known as "The Mac," is a world-renowned race that challenges the endurance, speed and agility of 300 boats and 3,000 crew members from around the globe each year. The 333-mile race from Chicago to Mackinac Island at the northern end of Lake Michigan is the world’s longest freshwater race and one of the most prestigious in the United States.

July 14, 2001, marks the 103^rd anniversary of the race’s founding in 1898 and the 94^th running of the event. The race was suspended during World War I and World War II. The challenging conditions on Lake Michigan require the best of racing, tactics, strategy and boat speed. Participation in "The Mac" is by invitation only from Chicago Yacht Club.

"The Mac" is a handicapped race with three divisions: open, one-design and PHRF (Performance Handicapped Racing Federation). Each division is scored separately and boats compete only with others in their division. As a result, there are three overall winners based on handicapped, corrected time and three First-To-Finish honors awarded based on the fastest elapsed time. The record for the fastest time was set in 1987 by Pied Piper, skippered by Dick Jennings of Chicago, which finished the race in 25:50:44. The multi-hulled record was set in 1998, by Steve Fossett’s Stars and Stripes, which finished in 18:50:32. The race normally takes between 40 to 60 hours to complete.

The start of the race is on Lake Michigan approximately 1.5 miles east of Chicago’s Monroe Harbor. Prior to the start, competing boats parade past Navy Pier with their ceremonial flags raised. The public can watch this parade from the east end of Navy Pier or along the lakeshore between Navy Pier and Monroe Street. The finish line for the race is the lighthouse on Round Island, off Mackinac Island, Michigan.