Tradition meets innovation in the 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust

The 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust reminded competitors that no two "Mac Races" are ever the same, delivering the kind of dynamic challenge that has made it one of the world's most iconic offshore races and a fixture on every sailor's bucket list.

Known as America's Offshore Challenge, the 2025 Mac Race tested sailors' tactical instincts, patience, and mental endurance over the 333-mile course up Lake Michigan and into Lake Huron for the finish at Mackinac Island, Mich.

This year's 116th race coincided with the Chicago Yacht Club's 150th anniversary, bringing both tradition and forward momentum. With 285 entries—the largest fleet in recent years—the Mac Race marked its growth with several innovations, including the debut of the Skyline Sprint (a new spectator-friendly course feature near Chicago's shoreline), an expanded First-Timers Program ushering in the next generation of offshore sailors, and the return of the Multihull Division.

"We wanted to honor the rich history of the Mac Race while making space for new energy and ideas," said Race Chair Winn Soldani, completing his two-year tenure. "Between the Skyline Sprint, the energy of first-time competitors, return of the multihulls, and tonight's fireworks celebration, I'm proud of how this year's race balanced heritage and progress."

Unpredictable wind conditions made this year's race especially demanding, with many boats taking longer than usual to reach the finish. On average this year, it took cruising division competitors approximately 68 hours to complete and the racing division 57 hours. In contrast, last year's race was one for the record books as Maverick broke the 22-year-old monohull record (just over 22 hours). It's this unpredictability that keeps Mac Racers returning year after year

Today's Sailors Celebration awards 28 class winners across the Mackinac Cup, which this year is awarded to the larger boats, and the Mackinac Trophy (smaller boats), Doublehanded Division, and Cruising Division (Whitehawk Trophy), and the Mark H. Baxter Trophy, awarded to a first-time boat. Full results are here.

The top trophy finishers are:

• Royono Trophy (first racing monohull to finish): Heartbreaker, GL 52, Robert Hughes
• First Cruising Boat to Finish: Whitehawk, Bruce King 104 Ketch, Peter Thornton
• Mackinac Cup (larger boats): Heartbreaker, GL 52, Robert Hughes
• Mackinac Trophy (smaller boats): Providence, Ericson 35 MK II, Jerry, Greg Miarecki
• Whitehawk Trophy (Cruising Division overall): Kutty's Ark, Pierson 36, Michael Lynch
• Doublehanded Division: Exile, J88, Andrew Graff
• Multihull: Trinity, Corsair F-27 Formula, Joel Rosinbum
• Mark H. Baxter Trophy (awarded to first timers):
  • Accord, Kiwi Boats, Michael Smith (Mackinac Trophy)
  • Shamrock, J111, Jeffrey Davis (Mackinac Cup)
  • Vagabond, Beneteau 393, Jeff Harris (Cruising)
  • Trinity, Corsair F-27, Joel Rosinbum (Multihull)

The torch now passes to incoming Race Chair Kevin Foote, who will guide the event into its 117th and 118th editions.

"Congratulations to every sailor who took on this year's race—you are what makes the Mac Race so special," said Foote. "I want to thank Winn for his outstanding leadership and the incredible momentum he's brought to this event. I look forward to the challenge of continuing to grow and evolve this race as we welcome everyone back to Chicago and Mackinac Island next year."

A seasoned sailor himself who has completed 14 Mac Races, Foote and his crew aboard the Dufour 36P Scarlet Begonias completed this year's race in approximately 63 hours, longer than a typical race.

"That's the magic of the Mac Race," Foote said. "Every race is special, whether it's fast or slow. We make memories that keep bringing us back."

Find out more at www.cycracetomackinac.com