The Mac-Chicago to Mackinac Island Sailboat Regatta

A Close-up View to the Start of the Mac Sailboat Race

These pictures capture the tumultuous start of the 100th year of the running of the Chicago to Mackinac Sailboat Regatta.

If you have anything to do with sailing in Chicago, the once-a-year event that gets everyone fired up is the Mac.

The Mac is a 300-mile sailboat race from Chicago Lighthouse to Mackinac Island. The fleet consists of over 300 sailboats across many classes.

This annual event is the focal point for scores of Chicago’s racing sailors. It has been a tradition that the fleet is escorted by the Coast Guard cutter Mackinac. That tradition has passed from the old Mackinac icebreaker to the New Mackinac icebreaker.

Annually the cutter presides at the start of the race. This year I had the pleasure of being on board to witness and capture some of the spectacle that is a Mac race start.

This year there was extra excitement because it was the largest field of boats ever. There were more than 400 boats participating.

In order to accommodate such a huge number of participants the boats are assigned to sections. Each section starts at a pre-assigned time staggered at ten-minute intervals. This makes for an almost constant stream of sailboats vying for key position and a good start.

Sounds good in theory. But you have to see it to believe it!

Day Before the Race

On Friday, the day before the race, boats from all over gather at the local harbors. Here some of the boats stage along the lakefront at Monroe Harbor. Some of the crews are frantically making last minute provisioning. While others are just lounging about watching the circus.

Many Different Kinds of Boats

It is exciting to see all the different boats and crews in their preparations. Serious sailors are unloading any extra weight to maximize their advantage. But other yachtsman justify the importance of one more case of beer. Many colorful flags and burgees support the festive spirit.

The Icebreaker Mackinac

The Icebreaker Mackinac is moored along Navy pier in preparation for the beginning of the big race. One feature of this unique vessel that will be utilized at the start of the race is its ability to maintain a very precise location without anchoring.

Preparing for Departure

The Mackinaw is preparing for its duties during its namesake race. The ship will go approximately half a mile offshore from the Chicago lighthouse. The imaginary line between the lighthouse and the ship's precise location is the starting line for this annual regatta.

The Mackinac Departs Navy Pier

After leaving Navy pier on this foggy morning, the ship proceeds to its position to act as the starting line. After the race is underway the ship will escort the fleet.

Amazed by the Technology and the View

Once the ship arrives at station in its designated spot visitors are given a tour. It's a fascinating vessel. Here the crew explains some of the advanced technology the ship uses for its duties. Also it happens to be a good place to hide from the rain. Throughout this several hour, event the guests were invited to be escorted by crew and given a wonderfully informative tour.

Mackinac’s Summer Job - Buoy Tender

Being a sailor, I appreciate the other function this fascinating ship performs. During the summer months when there's no ice to break, it's a buoy tender. It very precisely locates and maintains navigational aids throughout the Great Lakes. Here you can see the large crane they use.

Scenic Chicago Skyline

Well, maybe not so much today. The weather was proving to be a challenge for both the sailors and the photographers.

Organized Chaos

Controlled Chaos was the mode of operation. To the uninitiated (that would be me) it looked like utter pandemonium. But by the time the starting shot fired the line formed up and the race was on.

Chicago lighthouse

A picturesque view of the Chicago lighthouse with a hazy skyline in the background. The weather was uncooperative for the start of this demanding race. The restricted visibility challenged the crews and skippers.

Committee Boat

The committee boat maintains a watchful eye as the racers cross the starting line and proceed on their way.

A Mass of Boats Loitering

Because the start is staggered over a couple of hours, there's lots of boats just hanging out. It just adds wonderfully to the controlled chaos.

Chicago Lighthouse

J-class Boats

Because this race has over 300 boats in it, there are many different sections. Each section tries to match similar performance vessels. That's why this race has a staggered start.

Colorful Spinnakers

Except for the lighting this would be a photographer's dream. Colorful spinnakers in front of a scenic backdrop. You can just see the water intake crib in the background.

At the Last Minute

As the boats are lining up, there is a flurry of activity on their decks. At the last minute before crossing the starting line, almost in unison, they start to raise their colorful spinnakers.

And They're Off

While it appears there's a lot of zigging and zagging going on, in reality everybody is battling for key position. These boats are perfectly positioned and lined up so the moment the starting gun goes off they cross the line.

Headed Back to the Big City

You wouldn't even know there are high-rises directly in front of you. The memory of today will stick with me for quite a while. I hope some of these pictures help convey the excitement. It was fascinating to see the enthusiasm and energy so up close and personal.

Thanks to the Crew of the Mackinac for being so courteous and informative.

And the Staff of the Coast Guard Foundation for organizing the opportunity.

Technical Poop: Most of the race shots were taken with a Canon 40D and the Canon 100-400mm Image Stabilized Zoom lens. Because of the wildly fluctuating lighting condition I used a feature I did not even know the camera had. Auto ISO. Throughout the shooting the shutter speed and aperture were easily in the acceptable range. That feature really freed up my concern and allowed for at least an attempt at composition during some fairly kinetic shots.

When the rain got heavy I stowed the DSLR and switched to wide-field shooting using a Canon ELPH. SD700 with one important feature. It was in the underwater housing I use for scuba diving. Actually I don’t think it was overdressed. It really rained.

These shot were taken summer 2008.