Bayview Yacht Club's Annual Port Huron to Mackinac Race Begins Saturday July 21

This coming Saturday will see three thousand sailors take to Lake Huron as the  77^th annual Bayview Yacht Club Port Huron to Mackinac Race begins.  The race is one of the most beloved traditions among sailors on the Great Lakes. 

For the organizers, skippers, sailors and spectators, the race is an annual opportunity for camaraderie and family togetherness.  For many, it is a need for adventure and seamanship.  For others, it is a time to watch the
stars, smell the pines and to look forward to an annual trip up north.

No matter the reason, the sailing crews will be carrying the rich tradition of offshore sailing as they travel along two courses on Lake Huron to Mackinac Island in this year's Bacardi Bayview Mackinac Race.  The race
begins in Port Huron, and the finale is an awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 24, 2001 on the grounds of Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island.

As the largest fresh water sailing race in the United States, the event brings thousands of nautically interested  spectators to Lake Huron's shores.  Many sailors believe that Bayview Yacht Club runs one of the more challenging sailboat races anywhere in the world.  From the Port Huron festivities on Black River prior to the start of the race to the closing ceremonies on Mackinac Island, the color, spirit and tradition of sailing are celebrated in style and with meticulous attention to safety and sportsmanship.

"This is a family reunion of the very best kind," said Marcia Everingham, Bayview member and the first woman to chair the historic race.  "Our sailors will not only share an adventure during the race, but will have the joys of sailing with their families and their friends for the 77th time.  We watch the families as they grow from young men and women into parents and grandparents. It is a very rewarding time for the organizers as the rush to register is coupled with nostalgic memories of yesterday's races and tomorrow's dreams. This is the sailing community's main event."

Two courses are charted for the race.  The Southampton Course, 290 statute miles long was established in 2000 and was met with strong enthusiasm by the participating sailors.  In fact, a new buoy named the NGS Buoy and sponsored by NGS/American, was set into place about five miles offshore of Southampton, Ontario, Canada, and will serve as an historic marker again in 2001.  This is the course expected to be chosen by the majority of participants as it provides a sailing experience across a wider expanse of Lake Huron and
provides a more challenging tactical race course for the sailors.  The "traditional" course is the 235 statute mile Shoreline course that runs up Michigan's eastern coast.  Each has its own stories and presents its own set of challenges to the skippers, their crews and sailboats.   

 With more than 260 entries, the varying size of the crafts is of particular attention.  The multiple divisions and classes feature yachts from 26 feet to 72 feet in length, and the largest boat may exhibit a crew of over 20 members.

The classes showcase every type of sailing vessel, from the laid back cruising class to the full power racing boats to the advanced, high-tech quick multi hulls.  The 2001 race will welcome approximately 20 boats in the larger 60' and over range alone, a new record number for the race.  Popular participants will keep the spectators' interest as the fleet sails from start to finish.

Everingham continued, "We invite sailors to join our fleet.  We invite the public to enjoy the spectacle of the festivities leading up to the race and Port Huron's colorful Black River parade of ships on the 21st as they make
their way to the start line.  It is a memorable sight.  We are confident that the weather and water conditions will cooperate, and we will set some new course records, especially on the Southampton journey."

The sailors will spend two or more non-stop days with the course challenges and weather conditions striving to be the first across the finish line to be the fastest boat in their class.

Tradition can be seen by the number of people known as "OLD GOATS," those who have competed in 25 or more annual Mackinac races.

Safety is of the utmost concern.  Sailing rules for equipment are strict.  Increased attention to advanced technology and weather communications make the goal of the safest race possible a priority.  Professor Peter Sousanis and his team from the University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences provide printouts of the hour-by-hour forecasts as well as including access to real time data from the two weather buoys in Lake Huron.  Thus, weather briefings are always the order of the day, both before and
during the race.

Further, the United States Coast Guard plays an important role during the race.  The U.S. Coast Guard Vessel, Mobile Bay, will accompany sailors on their journey and monitor all water and weather safety conditions.

History:

The 1940's saw changes not only in hull design but also in the crews.  World War II took many of the young men who would skipper the crafts.  Bayview members were concerned and even wrote to President Roosevelt for direction. He responded that the sailing would be a benefit for the Navy and to proceed as usual.  The race's place in history was surely set there.  As the 1950's, 60's and 70's wore on, the changes in sailboat hull design and sailing techniques flourished.