PORT HURON ~ Sailboats began arriving at Mackinac Island late Sunday and into Monday after rough weather forced 82 boats to withdraw from the 102nd Bayview Mackinac Race, one of Michigan’s premier sailing events and the world’s longest continuously run freshwater yacht race. The race started Saturday with 193 boats, meaning more than 40% of the fleet retired before reaching the finish.
Race officials said crews encountered challenging conditions shortly after leaving Port Huron, including strong winds, large waves, rain, and rapidly changing weather on Lake Huron. Forecasts called for winds of 15 to 20 knots, gusts up to 30 knots, and waves ranging from 6 to 9 feet. Some boats returned to harbor because of equipment issues, while others withdrew for safety reasons.
Despite the high number of retirements, race organizers reported that all sailors were accounted for and no serious injuries had been reported. Officials also praised harbors along the Lake Huron shoreline that provided refuge for crews choosing to leave the race.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
(CONTINUED) The annual Bayview Mackinac Race sends sailors from the Port Huron area to Mackinac Island on courses ranging from approximately 204 to 259 nautical miles. The event attracts competitors from across the United States and Canada and is considered one of North America’s most prominent freshwater sailing competitions.
Finishers continued arriving throughout Monday as conditions moderated and remaining boats worked their way north toward Mackinac Island. Awards are scheduled for Tuesday after all remaining boats finish and race officials verify results. Official results are available at bycmack.com/results.
