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Sports | Photo gallery from the start of the 100th Bayview Mackinac Race

The start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024, was delayed a bit by lack of wind, but what was scheduled to be a record number of participants — 332 boats, from 17 different states, were scheduled to depart from the starting line in southern Lake Huron, breaking the record of 315 from 1985 — headed off to the finish line between Mackinac and Round islands.

The race was scheduled to run on the original 1925 course, rather than the Cove Island or Shore courses that it has followed for many years.

The "Diablo" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024, was delayed a bit by lack of wind, but what was scheduled to be a record number of participants — 332 boats, from 17 different states, were scheduled to depart from the starting line in southern Lake Huron, breaking the record of 315 from 1985 — eventually headed off to the finish line between Mackinac and Round islands. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Good Lookin" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Ohana" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Gauntlet" and "Trompe Monde" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

A freighter makes its way through Port Huron, as several boats prepare for the start of their class in the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Amante 2" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Eagle One" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

Boats gather near the starting line for the 100th running of the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The the winner of the Chicago to Mackinac race last week, "White Hawk" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac Race — the 100th annual running of the Port Huron to Mackinac event — on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Freedom" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The 40-foot "Hibernia" heads to the start for the 100th running of the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Charrette" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "J Hawker" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "On a Whim" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

Race boats head out to the starting line for the 100th running of the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The first groups of boats heads out from the starting line for the 100th running of the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

The "Diablo" at the start of the Bayview Mackinac race, the 100th consecutive running of the race up Lake Huron from Port Huron to Mackinac Island on Saturday, July 20, 2024. (ADAM SHEEHAN — For MediaNews Group)

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This weekend's Bayview Mackinac Race marks 100 years with record number of boats

• Published: Jul. 19, 2024, 7:15 a.m.

This weekend is the 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race, one of the oldest freshwater sailing races in the world. This photo shows the 2023 competition. Provided by Martin Chumiecki. Martin Chumiecki

• Tanda Gmiter | [email protected]

PORT HURON, MI - Excitement is building along the shores of Lake Huron as the 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race is set to kick off Saturday.

This century milestone is made even more special because a record number of sailboats - 332 are registered - are set to sail up the course to the finish line near Mackinac Island.

As a nod to the race’s impressive history, boat crews will be competing on the original course mapped out for the first Bayview Mackinac Race in 1925. This means all the racing yachts will start in southern Lake Huron, then head 235 miles north and west. The boats will pass south of Bois Blanc Island before crossing the finish line that sits between Round Island and Mackinac Island.

Boats from 17 states and Canada are set to participate in what is one of the longest-running freshwater yacht races in the world.

The race begins Saturday, with the first group of boats set to hit the starting line at 11:30 a.m.

The 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race begins Sunday. In this photo, competitors race the course in 2023. Photo by Martin Chumiecki. Martin Chumiecki.

“Anyone up the Thumb coast of Lake Huron should be in for quite a show as the entire fleet sails up to Mackinac, and if there is a downwind blowing and spinnakers unfurled it will be a spectacular view from the shore,” said Charlie Trost, race chair for the 2024 Bayview Mackinac.

“The large and diverse fleet reflects the inclusivity and wide appeal of the race, drawing competitors from various regions and backgrounds, which enhances the competitive spirit and camaraderie among sailors.”

Want to get in on the fun? Like Trost said, the Lake Huron shoreline will be a good spot for race spectators to catch a glimpse of these sleek and speedy boats. You can use the race tracker here to see where the fleet is situated.

You can also dress like a fan with the new limited-edition sailing T-shirts featuring Peanuts characters like Snoopy and Woodstock. You can find those shirts and other race gear at the Bayview Mackinac Race online store.

Once the boats reach Mackinac Island, it’s party time. And there’s a big island awards celebration hosted by Mission Point Resort.

The Bayview Mackinac Race follows exactly a week behind the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, which this year saw a fast course, heavy storms on Lake Michigan, a man overboard rescue , and a new record set.

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Division ii, division iii, results archive.

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Frequently asked questions.

The race starts in southern Lake Huron near Port Huron, Michigan. It finishes at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

The boats start leaving the Black River in Port Huron around 8 a.m. on race day and will continue leaving until around noon. From the Black River, they will proceed up the St. Clair River, under the Blue Water Bridge, into Lake Huron.

The first scheduled start time in Lake Huron is 11:30 a.m., with starts every ten minutes until approximately 1:30 p.m. The starts may be delayed due to weather conditions, lack of wind, or storms.

Spectators may visit www.bycmack.com during the race and click on “RaceTracking” link to watch real-time GPS positioning of all the race boats or on your mobile device download the free app YB Races and select the current race.

Boats will start arriving at Mackinac Island on Sunday afternoon and continue until Monday evening, all dependent upon the wind.

Finishes can be seen from Windermere Point on Mackinac Island at the south end of Main Street.

Results will be posted and updated on the website as they become available.

The Cove Island Course is 259 nautical miles (298 Statute miles). The Shore Course is 204 nautical miles (235 statute miles). The 1925 Original Course is 204 nautical miles (235 statute miles).

Shore Course – The fleet will head north from its traditional start in Southern Lake Huron along the Michigan shoreline before heading west, passing north of Bois Blanc Island, and finishing east to west at the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island.

Cove Island Course – The fleet heads north from its traditional start in Southern Lake Huron up Lake Huron through a virtual gate off the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Canadian waters before heading west, passing north of Bois Blanc Island, and finishing east to west at the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island.

1925 Original Course – From its traditional start in Southern Lake Huron, the fleet will head north on one course along the Michigan shoreline before heading west, passing south of Bois Blanc Island, and finishing west to east at the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island. (The original course started three nautical miles south of the current one, off Lake Side Park, Gratiot Beach. As the race gained participants, the starting line was moved to its current location to accommodate the required starting line length and sufficient depth over its entire length.)

Southampton Course – DESCRIPTION TO BE ADDED

Six Fathom Bank Course – Only run in 1939, this course…..TO BE ADDED

Please submit a Race Information Request,   Request for Information , found on the race website under the Competitors tab, Registration header, if you have not raced in the race as a Boat Owner. 

Please review the Notice of Race (NOR) on the website under the Competitors tab, Official Board, and Documents.

Please refer to the Notice of Race on the race website under the Competitors Tab, Official Board, and Documents.

The Race Invitation will be sent out to Invited Competitors via e-mail one day before the opening of Race Registration. Please check the website regularly for all news and updates on the race. Official race documents are posted on the website under the Competitors tab, Official Board, and Documents.

The Safety Equipment Requirements (SERs) are updated every year.

Please check the website under the Competitors tab, Official Board, and Documents

There is no minimum age requirement to participate. The Boat Owner is responsible for ensuring that the crew is of proper age and has had enough experience to safely participate in this offshore long-distance event. Please refer to the Notice of Race and Safety Equipment Requirements for any minimum distance and overnight experience for some of the crew

The Race Committee reserves the right to withdraw your invitation if it determines that the crew does not, in the Race Committee’s judgment, have the necessary seamanship and skills for the race.

There is a “Crew/Boat Finder” List on the website, under the Competitors Tab, and Registration header, for you to sign up and/or find help. Please check this area regularly, as it is updated often with new entries.

The first Bayview Mackinac Race took place in 1925. The Race has occurred every year since, even through World War II and the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Sailors who have completed 25 Bayview Mackinac Races are called “Old Goats,” while those who have completed 50 are called “Grand Rams.” The official designation and recognition is made by application to the Society of Mackinac Island Old Goats, Detroit. Applications can be found on the website under the About tab, Societies header.

Double Goats are sailors who have completed 25 Bayview Mackinac Races and 25 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Races.

Volunteers who have served for 15 years on the Race Committee are honored with the title “Old Forts,” as designated by the Race Committee.

Mackinac Island's historic sailboat race is making a big comeback

While lakes are still filled with ice, summertime plans for the historic around-the-clock sailboat race from southern Lake Huron to the Straits of Mackinac are underway with a sense of early celebration.

Canadians get to compete again. And COVID-19 deaths have dropped dramatically.

A tradition that began in 1925 is seeing a surge of enthusiasm fed by lifted pandemic restrictions and relief about the return to tradition and a sense of normalcy.

"There's pent-up energy and people are anxious to get out," said Chris Clark, chairman of the 2022 Bayview Mackinac Race organized by Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit.

"We have a 50% to 70% increase in new requests," he told the Free Press.

Organizers say the bounce is a response to two years of struggle that altered the race course, safety protocols and the island celebration. Now, the whole event is returning to what people loved. Planners say they expect more than 200 participants.

The race starts in Port Huron on July 16 and can last two or three days, depending on the sailing skill of the racers from all over the world. It is the world's longest consecutively run long-distance freshwater yacht race.

Already 170 boats had registered by Tuesday with four months until the window closes, a pace about 10% higher than normal with more newcomers than usual. The deadline to register is June 12.

$8M expansion: Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel building nature center, miniature golf

Fast Tango: Champion almost missed Mackinac race. Then competitors stepped in.

Competitors are coming from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (so far). Canadian sailors are back after being unable to compete in 2020 and 2021 because of restrictions related to COVID-19.

In 2021, 173 boats raced. In 2020, 81. And in 2019, 171.

There are big changes this year.

Boats will race on the Shore Course, along the Michigan shoreline, and the Cove Island Course, into Canadian waters, for the first time since 2019.

The Canadian border patrol has carefully monitored the waters during the pandemic and no sailboats were allowed to cross. So the race was restricted to the Shore Course, which is 204 nautical miles or 234.8 miles. Now the popular Cove Island Course is back — at 259 nautical miles or 298 miles.

"It's returning to the races that everybody knows and everybody loves," said Clark, who plans to race on Dynamis, a Santa Cruz 70. 

And that also includes boats being allowed to raft off each other — tie up together to allow more in the harbor — instead of sending most boats off to Mackinaw City and elsewhere after the finish of the race, Clark said.

The celebration lasts for days as sailors are joined by friends and family on the island to drink, dance, hike and bike. There are no cars, just horse-and-buggy. The island doesn't sleep when the sailors arrive.

Boats will cross the starting line at 11:30 a.m. on Lake Huron, just north of the Blue Water Bridge. They race through the night and all weather, guided by the stars under the moonlight with no land in sight.

Organizers worked closely with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Chippewa Hotel, Lilac Tree Hotel and Chris Shepler of Shepler's Ferry service as well as state Rep. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs.  

This year's Island Award Party moves from The Grand Hotel back to Mission Point Resort on July 19. 

And the finish line that used to be near the lighthouse by Windemere Point on the west end of the island will now be near Mission Point on the east end of the island.

More: Mackinac Island tourism 'absolutely crazy,' sets revenue record in 2021

Each July, there are two big sailboat races to Mackinac, held on back-to-back weekends. Bayview Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club alternate which club goes first. Many sailors race in both. The Chicago to Mackinac race, which begins on Lake Michigan, was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Bayview Yacht Club coordinated this year with Chicago in putting together logistics so the island and its businesses would have common contracts and usage of facilities and just make everything easier, Clark said.

This year, Chicago will race on July 23. 

Finally, the Chicago Yacht Club agreed to switch the start of the race dates two years from now so Bayview will go second for its 100th anniversary. That means next year Bayview will start July 15 and Chicago on July 22. In 2024, Chicago will start July 13 and Bayview on July 20. 

Generations of mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, cousins, brothers, sisters and longtime friends race the Mackinac, sometimes as young as 10 and as old as 86. There is no age restriction. Childhood memories include gathering in the middle of the night to cheer sailboats crossing the finish line.

"Traditionally, when our race is second, we get a larger number of boats from Chicago to participate in the Bayview Mack," said BYC Commodore Lynn Kotwicki in a news release. "We are expecting the Centennial to be one of the biggest, most exciting sailing competitions in recent history."

More: Prestigious Detroit sailing club gets first female commodore in 100-year history

More: 3 Mackinac Island hotels, restaurant sold to owner of Grand Hotel

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid .

Published on July 18th, 2023 | by Editor

Winners confirmed in Bayview Mackinac

Published on July 18th, 2023 by Editor -->

The 2023 Bayview Mackinac had 191 starters for the 99th consecutive edition which started July 15 in southern Lake Huron. Four teams retired along the course up Lake Huron to Mackinac Island, with all teams finishing by July 17.

For the two courses, Tom Prophit’s NA40 Fast Tango was the overall winner on the 259 nautical mile Cove Island Course while Jeremy Thompson and his Grampian 30 Trav’ler took top honors on the 204 nautical mile Shore Course.

Among the five multhihulls which sailed the Cove Island course, Peter R. Pattullo’s Farrier F-33RX Nelda Ray was both the elapsed and corrected time winner.

Race information – Results – Tracking

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2024 Bayview Mackinac Race – July 20 – 23, 2024

The Bayview Mackinac Race – which will begin on Saturday, July 20, 2024 – is recognized as one of the most challenging freshwater boat races in the world. Join the excitement of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race as boat racers sail Michigan’s Great Lakes to reach their final destination, Mackinac Island. It’s all Pure Michigan from start to finish!

Bayview Mackinac Race Quicklinks:

• Online Race Tracking – 2024 • Bayview Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac Facebook Page • Bayview Yacht Club Website

In the ten decades that the Bayview Mackinac Race has been sailed, much has happened. Wars, economic depressions, and other significant events have transpired, yet the Race has gone on. In fact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wired a message to Bayview during World War II when word reached the White House that the Club was considering canceling the race. That message read: “Sail your race.” Even then, it was clear that this race was and is important for sailors and for the State of Michigan. Bayview did sail the Mackinac Race that year, and has done so every single year since the first Bayview Mackinac Race in 1925, making it the longest consecutively run freshwater race in the world. This year’s race starts on July 15, 2023.

In its own way, the Bayview Mackinac race has become a vital part of Great Lakes history, Michigan history, and sailing history.

Celebrate the start of the race in Port Huron. Then follow the course of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race as they head north along the shores of Michigan’s eastern coast. Join the festivities at the finish line on Mackinac Island. Where the hospitality and celebration is always second to none.

Visit Bayview Yacht Club Website >>>>

Bayview Mackinac Race On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Bayview Mackinac Race Page On Facebook.

Bayview Mackinac Race

Visit Bayview Mackinac Race on Facebook >>>

Chippewa Hotel – Bayview Mackinac Race – Photo Gallery (Click on photo for slideshow view)   <>

Posted by Chippewa Hotel Waterfront on  Wednesday, July 26, 2017

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Announcing the 100th Bayview Mackinac Race 2024

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Historic sailboat race to Mackinac Island returns July 20 to Sarnia area

The 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race will be its largest, says race chairperson Charlie Trost

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The 100th running of the Bayview Mackinac Race, where boats sail from Lake Huron off Port Huron, Mich., and Sarnia to the finish line at Mackinac Island, will be its largest, says race chairperson Charlie Trost.

Historic sailboat race to Mackinac Island returns July 20 to Sarnia area Back to video

The race organized by Detroit’s Bayview Yacht Club has run every year since it began, including through the Second World War and the COVID pandemic.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Trost said. “It’s the longest running consecutive freshwater race in the world.”

This year’s race is July 20 when entries are scheduled to leave in the morning from Port Huron and travel up the St. Clair River, and under the Bluewater Bridge where spectators traditionally line the shore, to reach the starting line in Lake Huron.

This year will be the 43rd Rotary Club of Sarnia’s fundraising pancake and sausage breakfast in Point Edward’s Waterfront Park next to the bridge, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Volunteers from the service club and community serve about 2,000 sausage and pancake breakfasts each year on race day and raise $10,000 to $15,000.

“It’s not just about the fundraising,” organizer Carolyn Leaver-Luciani said in a news release. “It’s about getting out with friends and family, enjoying our amazing waterfront, and having fun.”

Breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for children and advance tickets are available online at www.rotarysarnia.com .

In an effort to be environmentally friendly, the breakfast encourages those attending to bring their own plates and cutlery, as well as bottled water or cups for water that will be available. Breakfast includes coffee, tea or juice.

This year, the service club is also selling Mackinac Race T-shirts for $25.

And following breakfast, the club will hold a Mackinac Extravaganza south of the bridge from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in support of affordable housing with family-friendly activities, a vendor fair and a Re/Max balloon. The cost is $5 per person or $20 per family.

Trost said he was anticipating about 335 entries in the race this year, which would be a record.

The previous record was set in 1985 when 316 boats entered.

“I think a lot of people want to be part of the 100th,” Trost said. As well, as the number of entries climbed this year, that generated more interest and even more entries.

For this year, the race will return to its original 204 nautical mile course to reach the island located near where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet.

“It’s just a one-time deal,” Trost said. “It will add a new interesting flavour to the race.”

The winner of the first race crossed the finish line after 48 hours and 49 minutes of sailing. The current shore course record is just over 17 hours, according to the race’s website.

“You have professionals out there who are on the water 250 days a year competing and trying to win the race,” Trost said. “And then there are other people who are looking at it as a challenge.”

The sport provides a platform for both, he said.

“Even if you lose the race, you still feel a great deal of accomplishment from getting to the island.”

This year will be Trost’s 22nd race. He began competing at age 14 and has been in every race since.

“To me it’s a big family thing,” Trost said. “I’ve been going to the island ever since I was born. My grandma was on the race committee.”

Sarnia entries are typically among a “handful of Canadian boats” in the race.

He said sailors appreciate seeing spectators along the shore as they travel on the river to the starting line in the lake.

Also, Port Huron’s Blue Water Festival runs July 17 to 20 with concerts, a street fair and parade.

“We do this racing all over the world and you don’t find a gathering and a send-off quite like you do at Port Huron or Sarnia,” Trost said. “I think it’s one thing that makes our race very unique.”

[email protected] @ObserverPaulM

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It's an adventure: Sailors head out for 98th Port Huron-to-Mackinac Island Sailboat Race

The strong hum of bagpipes played on the edge of the Black River in Port Huron as a welcome to the 98th Bayview Mackinac Race. Under the warm morning sun, crowds gathered to watch as more than 170 sailboats headed out onto Lake Huron Saturday.

People ate donuts and drank bloody marys prepared by the Port Huron Yacht Club. The docks bustled with activity as boat crews made their final preparations before their start times. Friends and loved ones said goodbye to the racers who were making their way from Port Huron to Mackinac Island.

Marysville resident Misty Harrower was one spectator at the yacht club. She was hanging out next to a boat called The Flash, where her boyfriend Brad Dietzel is a crew member. This is the second year she has watched the race.

“I enjoy the race because of Brad’s excitement for it,” Harrower said.

The race attracts people far from Michigan. Michelle Hill traveled from Denver, Colorado for a family reunion. After being told about the race, she and a few of her family members decided to spend their morning watching the boats.

“We were told that the bagpipers would be playing as the boats are going out and we wanted to come see it,” Hill said.

Over at the River Street Marina, boaters gathered waiting for their later start times. Bay City resident Jerry Somalski will be piloting the Sohest with his eight-person crew. He has been participating in the Mackinac race since 2000. Somaliski said the call of adventure and comradery with other boats is what keeps him coming back every year.

“Getting a trophy is really cool, but it’s more about the actual race and the people involved,” he said. “Doing well in the race is just a bonus.”

Harbor Springs resident Eric Rasmussen was also at the marina eagerly waiting for his start time. His boat, Stripes, was nestled against the dock with his crew on board. He’s been doing the race for about 25 years.

“Always try to find a way to sneak in a little enjoyment in life,” Rasmussen said.

As the boats continued to head out into Lake Huron, crowds cheered and waved. A common theme amongst racers and spectators alike was the feeling of community and family the race brings.

Activities for the remainder of Saturday include the carnival and food trucks at the Blue Water Transit Center. Live music from will be played at McMorran Plaza. A Taste of Port Huron take place from noon to 2 p.m. Seven downtown restaurants are participating in the event.  

Contact McKenna Golat at [email protected] or (810) 292-0122.