The competition between Chicago and Mackinac becomes a drag race with wind deflectors

The predicted fast conditions came true as the Chicago Yacht Club’s 115th Sailboat Race to Mackinac turned into a downwind drag race.

About 250 boats are participating. The Cruising Division left Chicago on Friday and the Racing Division left around noon today. The online tracker shows the two groups flying north up the Lake Michigan course.

“The Racing Division continues to accelerate and we are now seeing speeds in the mid-teens on the faster boats, now almost catching up to the Cruising Division,” said race staff. “Watch for sustained boat speeds overnight… this is the fast racing that was predicted!”

“The 250 boats en route are enjoying a magic carpet ride thanks to southerly sailing conditions with a tailwind that will take them all the way to Mackinac Island, Michigan, in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

These wind conditions mean that many of the larger boats are averaging 10 to 15 knots on their way north. The boats are so fast that some of them are expected to reach Mackinac Island by Sunday afternoon.

But first, sailboat crews may have to contend with severe weather. Radar shows that the first of three storm systems approaching Michigan will cross the big lake tonight. Perhaps in preparation for that — or perhaps because of the wind direction — some of the boats appear to be heading toward the Michigan shore of the lake to follow that track a little more closely.

The race stretches 333 miles from Chicago to Mackinac Island. This year there are 2,200 sailors on board – and about 20% are first-timers in the race known as America’s Offshore Challenge. The race is considered the longest freshwater sailing race in the world.

The race record is 23 hours, 30 minutes and 34 seconds and was set by Roy Disney in 2002. Pyewacketa Reichel Pugh 75.

“It’s still early and we know anything can happen on Lake Michigan – and usually does – but if things continue like this, we’re on track to make the 115th Race to Mackinac one of our fastest,” said Winn Soldani, chairman of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust.

You can follow the progress of the race as it travels along Lake Michigan. Each competitor is equipped with a satellite tracker that sends information about speed, location and direction every 15 minutes. This race tracker provides you with a color-coded map.

The race begins near Chicago’s Navy Pier, heads up Lake Michigan, circles the tip of the Mitten, and passes under the Mackinac Bridge before approaching the finish line near the Round Island Lighthouse next to Mackinac Island.

And once the boat crews reach Mackinac Island, it’s party time.

Many of the boats will be posting individual updates, photos and videos during the race. You can follow the race on social media: #CYCRTM