Troubling Forecast for Chicago Mackinac Race

Chicago, IL (July 23, 2016) – The Cruising Division started yesterday with the forecast calling for very little pressure at the bottom of Lake Michigan, but the fleet has not stalled out yet. Joseph Haas’ Hanse 630e, Infinite Diversion, is sticking almost right on the rhumb line and clipping along 15 miles ahead of the Cruising 1 Section’s second place boat, Perico. Race fans may not recognize the boat, but it is actually comprised of crew from three-time Cruising 1 Section winner Jug Band, including owner Harry Simmon.

The Cruising 2 Section was averaging 4 knots on the line last night before the wind died in the middle of the lake at midnight and the fleet gybed back towards the Wisconsin shore. Racers on Twitter were lamenting their glassy reflections on the water. The back of the fleet is gybing back and forth searching for air slowing to 2 knots.

The Racing Division started today at 11 a.m. shrouded in a summer haze with winds from the southeast at 8 knots. The fleets behaved in the light air with conservative starts as they prepared for the journey north, but the unanimous decision for spinnakers was made as soon as the gun went off.

The overnight forecast is calling for thunderstorms across most of Lake Michigan, which will bring wind to the fleet.

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About the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac
At 333 miles (289.4 nautical miles), the Race to Mackinac is one of the world’s longest running freshwater distance races. ‘The Mac’ starts at the Chicago Lighthouse just east of Navy Pier and continues to Mackinac Island, MI.

Source: Chicago Yacht Club