Racing to the Pink Pony Bar and Grill

There’s more to races than the racing, and Bayview Yacht Club’s Bell’s Beer Bayview Mackinac Race is definitely more than just a race. It is an occasion as Dianna Stampfler reports…

To say I was overwhelmed by the number of boats lining the St. Clair River in Port Huron and the crowds spread out along block after city block is an understatement. It was “Family Night” as part of the Blue Water Fest – a celebration organized to compliment the race. Knowing no one, and not sure where to start, I sought out Thumb Coast Brewing as I knew it would be familiar environment. It was also a great spot to watch the fireworks at the end of the day.

Friday morning (July 17) started with light rain, which was fine with me as it kept the crowds away a bit longer so I could easily find a parking spot and walk around to get my bearings. The Black River winds through downtown Port Huron, before converging with the St. Clair River on the way out to Lake Huron. Boats, from 30 feet to 70 feet, were lined up sometimes four deep to accommodate the more than 250 that would take part in this 91st annual race.

Boats lined up along the Black River in downtown Port Huron. Photo courtesy of Dianna Stampfler.

By mid-afternoon, crowds were gathering to walk along the river to talk with sailors, take photos and share stories of times on the water. Carnival rides, street vendors, food booths and musical stages provided entertainment for families throughout the day and night.

That afternoon, a historical marker was dedicated near the Port Huron Yacht Club (PHYC), commemorating the significance of one of the longest freshwater races in the world. It was in 1925 that PHYC and the Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit teamed up to host the first Bayview to Mackinac Race. A duplicate marker will be placed at Bayview—which this year celebrates its Centennial.

I woke with excitement on Saturday, ready to head out onto Lake Huron to see what this race was all about. What did it really look like, feel like, being on one of the largest freshwater lakes with 237 competitive sailboats, freighters and spectator boats as part of this legendary race? I was about to find out!

If possible, the energy down along the river was even more amped up on race morning. Crews were carrying ice and provisions to their boats, checking sails and other gear, removing excess items from the boat to eliminate unnecessary weight and preparing for the next 23-56 hours out on the water. And the scene out on the lake was what I considered organized chaos.

With the sailboats on their way on one of two courses—the 259-nautical-mile Cove Island Course for the larger boats or the 204-nautical-mile Shore Course for smaller boats—I had plenty of time to make my way four-plus hours north to Mackinaw City to catch the Shepler Ferry for the next three-days of my race adventure on Mackinac Island.

Upon checking into the famed Grand Hotel, I was pleased to find myself in a room that not only overlooked the Straits of Mackinac, but was pretty close to the finish line for the race—a laser beam that stretches from the shoreline over to Round Island Lighthouse. From my window, I could not only see but actually get pictures of boats as they completed their course.

Oberon at The Pink Pony. Photo courtesy of Dianna Stampfler.

The next few days were spent at “party central”—otherwise known as the Pink Pony inside the Chippewa Hotel, located right along the water and offering views of boats as they sail by.

Sunday afternoon, three boats were already tied to the dock by the time I made my way down for a Bloody Mary—including the multi-hull Arete’ (corrected time: 35:15:19, 2nd place in its class, 2nd place in its division), Il Mostro (corrected time: 39:32:35, 1st place in its class, 1st place in its division, 1st place overall) and Windquest (corrected time: 41:05:37, 2nd place in its class, 2nd place in its division, 2nc place overall).

Sunday and Monday on the island slightly resemble a frat party – minus the keg-stands and togas. As many as 2,000 crew and their family and friends cram into the bars and restaurants downtown to share stories of their most recent sailing adventures. They talk of wind, or lack thereof. They complain about crews that have time to take photos and post them online during the race, instead of focusing on the task at hand. They congratulate each other and toast to a job well done. They drink, a lot. And with race sponsors like Barefoot Wine, Tito’s Vodka, Shellback Rum and title sponsor Bell’s Brewery, there’s no shortage of libations flowing.

The celebration comes to a close on Tuesday during the awards party at Woodfill Park, overlooking the Straits and down from the Grand Hotel. Live music, more beverages and sailing crews dressed in their team shirts gather once again to relive the week’s race and wait for the award flags to be presented in each class (first, second and third).

Not only are awards presented for the top finishes, but the last boat in is also recognized as the “pickle boat.” This year, that flag was presented to James Howard of Ark-Imedes (of the Bark Shanty Sail Club of Port Sanilac), which completed the race in 56:56:08 (coming in Monday at 20:47:08 (8:47pm); corrected time 50:41:46 to finish last in a class of 15 boats).

Of particular note was the recognition of the “Old Goats”—an endearing term used to describe someone who has participated in 25 or more Bayview to Mackinac races and “Grand Rams” who have completed 50 or more races. The “Double Old Goats” have completed at least 25 of the Bayview to Mackinac races as well as at least 25 of the Chicago to Mackinac Races, which were first held in 1898 and is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world.

Source: Awesome Mitton