Chicago -- In a historic exchange program, members of the Italian yacht club Circolo Vela Gargagno will compete in the 89th annual Chicago to Mackinac Island Race, July 20. From the Lago di Guardia region of Italy, Circolo Vela Gargagno is sending a delegation of 10 sailors, including members of the Italian Olympic team, to participate in the Mac.
To complete this exchange, the Chicago Yacht Club is sending a delegation of sailors to Italy in September. The Chicago Yacht Club team will travel to Lago di Garda, Italy, to participate in Italy's most distinguished regatta, Centomiglia.
In addition to competing in the Mac race, the Italian team will participate in a pre-Mac match race. Thursday, July 18 at 1 p.m., they will challenge a Chicago Yacht Club team to a one-on-one match race off Monroe Harbor.