This year the Mac races will be dark - literally. With the full moon on July 2nd, by the time sailors are standing night watches during the Port Huron Mac they will do so under a dim new moon. For the Chi-Mac the moon will be at it's first quarter, but will set right around 11:58 Chicago time on the 25th. This will make for a race course that is potentially lit only by starlight.
For the second year the Americap II rating system will be used. As is always the case with handicapping rules, Americap has received mixed reviews.
There may be a separate section for 'sprit boats'. This proposed section would include boats like J125's, but not the J105's which should have their own one design section.
As has generally been the case there should be several boats capable of breaking elapsed time records. There will once again be a Windquest capable of line honors. The DeVos family has purchased Zephryus, a Max Z 86. Unlike the new Pyewacket, this boat does not have a canting keel. As Zephryus this boat set the record in the Pineapple Cup race to Montego Bay.
Additional record breaking potential racerers are expected to be in attendance. Genuine Risk, a 90 footer that uses canting keel twin foil technology. Alchemy will return from California. Trader, the first Great Lakes based Transpac 52, should also be on the line.
These modern boats are beginning to make a bit of a mockery of the 333 mile course. In 1969, which was a light air race, the first boat finished in 60 hours. Last year Alchemy came from California and needed less than 24 hours to complete the course in similar conditions.
Still for most boats the race will include 2 nights on the water. The course takes the boats from one end of Lake Michigan to the other and often from one side to the other. The course includes cityscapes, sand dunes, islands, light houses, the Mackinac bridge, and plenty of blue Lake Michigan water.
Continue to visit this website for unofficial and independent coverage of this annual summer high point.
