106th Chicago to Mackinac Race

Today marks the start of the 106th annual Chicago to Mackinac race.  Well, for the cruising division anyway.  Race boats start tomorrow.  It's a little bitter-sweet for me since I will not be partaking as I have in years past.  This race is always a highlight of summer for us "pond sailors" and it was during contemplative night watches of previous Mac's where I began to dream and scheme in earnest about a life afloat, not to mention it was during the '07 race when Scott and I first met.  Alas, breast pumps have no place on race boats so I'll be sitting this one out.  Scott, lucky fellow, gets a well deserved break from this estrogen-rich household and is very much looking forward to being surrounded by only men for a few days.  Can't say I blame him although I shudder to think what that head (aka. toilet) will look like after three or four days of ten men aboard.  Blech.  No thank you.

The "plan" was for me and the girls to drive up to the island to meet them on Sunday at which point Scott and I would take the helm and cruise for a week or so in Northern Michigan.  However, after pouring over the logistics of getting three babies up to the island and where we would end up with the boat and how we would return from the trip were mind boggling, and - let's be honest - driving in an SUV with three children under three for eight-plus hours has got to be a legitimate form of torture.  So, instead, my mom and dad will sail their boat back to Chicago (or thereabouts) and Scott, the girls and I will hop aboard for a week long cruise down in the lower latitudes of the lake.  Less driving, fewer logistical hiccups. Win/win.

Anyway...

Today also marks my handsome hubby's 38th birthday and there is nothing that he deserves more than to enjoy a weekend of straight-up sailing (pretty much his favorite thing) sans babies.  We'll miss him so much but he has earned a break from the mayhem of twinfants and the tall task of being super dad! Scott will be racing on my father's boat with my brothers and eight others.  If you are interested in tracking their progress, feel free to do so here.  The boat's name is "Lancashire Lass".

Fair winds and following seas guys! Sail fast and have fun!

My handsome hubby in his element.

*Above photos taken by Andy Jury

The Mac Race Begins!

Some images of the start of the Mac Race today...it was light winds out of the east, but a beautiful day for a sail nonetheless.  We had a fantastic day on the water.  Then again, any day on the water is great, right?  Fair winds and a safe journey to our fellow sailors!

Sweet home Chicago

Jockeying for a good start position...

And they're off!

The coasties kept rif raff like us at a safe distance.

Heading to the start

Setting the chutes for a reach

The boats heading north waaaay off in the distance...

The Chicago "Mac" Race

The start of the 2009 Mac Race - the last race we did before leaving.

This weekend is a very, very big deal for the Chicago sailing community....it is the start of the 104th Annual Race to Mackinac (pronounced: Mackinaw). Known to the initiated as The Mac Race, it is one of the longest freshwater sailing races in the world and attracts sailors from across the globe, with hundreds of entrants competing each year.  I have competed in ten myself and - in our previous lives - this time of year was the pinnacle of the summer.  Being privileged enough to race on a boat with seven or eight other crew members over the course of two to three days was why we sailed in Chicago.

To get a coveted spot on a crew for this race is an honor and for good reason;  the camaraderie that develops after months of practice and preparation, the late night sail changes under a banner of stars and steaming cups of french-pressed coffee in the cockpit as the sun rises over the horizon... The excitement of jumping into your foul weather gear to battle a sudden squall at 3am and, of course, the huge parties that ensue on the island at the finish are just a few of the hundreds of reasons people love this race.  For many, it's their only opportunity to sail 48-72 hours non-stop and it is magnificent.  The race itself is an incredible challenge - the conditions are always changing as you cover the 322 miles up the lake - you are sure to be met by everything from hair-pulling calms to raging storms, from bone-chilling cold to exceptional heat, and course and sail changes are many!  Some of my fondest memories of sailing in Chicago are from the rail of a boat during this race and the Mac has attracted the likes of everyone from Bob Seger, Steve Fossett and Roy Disney to name a few.

It's very special to Scott and I as well.  Most of you know our backgrounds involved racing on the lake, and we actually met after the 2007 Mac at the famous sailors' bar "The Pink Pony" up on the island.  Sigh.  Feels like yesterday.  I don't think either of us knew how fateful that day was, but that could have also been because we were practically drowning in a vat of Mount Gay Rum...

I digress...

Scott and I have a lot of sailing friends who are going to be competing in the race this weekend (including our good friend, George) and we want to wish them all a safe, fast Mac with fresh winds and following seas!

We're going sailing tomorrow so hopefully I'll get some nice pics of the starting line for you guys...in the meantime, here's a few pics of our last Mac...

Shift change!

Breakfast in the cockpit with my brother 

Me, trimming the chute

Another evening on the lake 

Scott, taking us under the famed Mackinac Bridge.