New record for Chicago-Mackinac course

The 60-foot trimaran Areté owned by Rick Warner succeeded in their record-breaking attempt for the Chicago-Mackinac course, completing the 289 nautical-mile distance in 12:30:07. This improves the previous outright time of 17:59:49 set in 2017 by Il Mostro, a Volvo 70 monohull. Areté’s accomplishment will now be ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

The team of ten began the attempt, which follows the course for the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Race, at 10:38:05 am CDT on September 20, 2021.

It’s taken three official tries for Warner, a former Michigander now based in Charleston, SC, to complete the speed racing attempt. “It was worth the wait,” said Warner. “This was the culmination of six years since we first brought Areté into the Great Lakes, and it’s thanks to incredible effort by great friends and teammates. Our conditions were tailor made for this boat and we pushed it to the limit the entire time. What a ride!”

Areté’s crew:
Rick Warner (Charleston, SC)
Matt Graham (Boston, MA)
James Cyigenza (Muskegon, MI)
Ryan Gardner (Kalamazoo, MI)
Chris Higgins (Fennville, MI)
Ryan Higgs (Chicago, IL)
Jon Holstrom (Muskegon, MI)
Donny Massey (Chicago, IL)
Brian Torresen (Muskegon, MI)
Zyggy Beatty (Saint Martin, LA)

Areté’s YB Tracker: http://my.yb.tl/ARETE

Source: Laura Muma