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For the next two weeks Great Lakes sailors have a mantra-Mac season. This weekend will see sailors make the first of
two trips up to Mackinac Island. In even numbered years, Bayview Yacht Clubs Port Huron to Mackinac Race is sailed
1st.
250 boats have registered to sail on the two course options offered. The longer of the two is the Southampton Course.
This takes boats 253 miles from Port Huron to the NGS America buoy off Southampton Ontario and then to Mackinac
Island. This is the 3rd year for this course.
The second course is the Shore Course for the smaller boats. This 204-mile course allows the boats to sail straight up
the Michigan Shoreline to the finish.
There are 11 classes on the Southampton course, 3 of which will race on a one design/level basis. The others will
use handicaps to determine winners.
The Shore Course has 7 courses, 6 of which will race on a handicap basis.
One of the race's interesting contest is who might be first across the line. On the Southampton course there are 3 boats
with PHRF ratings of -69. These are Ollie a 35 foot trimaran, Denali a Nelson Marek 68 recently returned from
the Bermuda Race, and Pied Piper 2 an Andrews 71 (ex Attitude).
Several of the boats in the Great Lakes 70 class such as
Pied Piper, Holua, and Equation (all at -66) also would seem to be in with a chance for line honors depending on conditions.
Once the boats reach Mackinac Island some will continue on shortly after finishing down Lake Michigan. They will then
make a return voyage north bound during the Chicago to
Mackinac race staring the 20th.
Information provided
courtesy of ATWOS
Around The World Of Sailing
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