Let’s be careful out there

The 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race was a doozy as it started on July 18, 2026. While 201 boats were initially registered, the total dropped to 187 by race morning. Evil weather was forecasted, and Mother Nature did not disappoint. Eighty starters did not reach the infamous Pink Pony.

Beginning from southern Lake Huron, competitors are either on the 259 nm Cove Island Course or 204 nm Shore Course to the finish at Mackinac Island. Craig Warner reports on the decision to retire:

I received a text from a racer who chronicled how his boat finally decided that the weather was worse than forecasted, making it too rough to continue racing, so they dropped out early in the game. With over 40 percent of the fleet retiring, that’s a large number!

It has to be a tough decision to drop out of a race that you have been prepping for most of the year. You start the race with great expectations of making it to Mackinac, but then circumstances change, and you are now faced with the decision to stop racing.

The person-in-charge and crew decided that the crew’s safety was a higher priority than continuing the race. Their concern over the potential danger to the crew reinforced their decision. Some may think these boats were defeated, but in reality, they may be the real winners. I hold these crews and skippers in the highest regard. True leadership showed its face in this race.

After months of prep work, the race day is here. In the Air Force, we had a term called TARGET FIXATION. It sounds brave and full of bravado, but actually, it is a negative term. It paints a scenario in which a pilot dwells on one aspect of the flight while neglecting other factors that can jeopardize the pilot and their crew.

As 44-year veterans of military and professional flying, pilots never looked back and questioned their decision to never let an emergency develop. Lives were more important than continuing a mission that might end in disaster. How does this relate to racing safety? It is an exact parallel.

When we race, you have to look around and consider all aspects of the race that might exceed your crew’s safety parameters. The need to prepare for an emergency increase exponentially when you are out on the water. Death or injury can occur in a heartbeat.

You have to be prepared to handle an emergency or, better yet, avoid an emergency altogether. When lives are at stake, you have to act decisively. It is a much better alternative than having to go back to a wife, child, or friend and explain why their loved one is not alive.

Safety decisions are an intimidating responsibility, one that you must be willing to accept. I am quoting a saying forwarded to me: “The definition of a great sailor is knowing how not to be in a situation where you need to be a great sailor.”

Keep safety your #1 priority. To all who dropped out of the race for safety concerns, I say well done; you made the correct decision. You will be back on the race next year; our island awaits you.

Let’s be careful out there.
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Martin Chumiecki photos: https://www.photoelement.com/Mackinac-Race/102nd-Bayview-Mackinac-Race-Sunday-71926