Chicago Yacht Club unveils Special Edition of Race to Mackinac for Club's 150th Anniversary

Start of 115th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Wintrust © Barry Butler

Registration opens December 2, 2024 for the bucket-list offshore race

In celebration of its 150th anniversary, the Chicago Yacht Club has announced a special edition of its iconic annual race, the 116th Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust, with entry registration set to open December 2 at 12 p.m. CST.

The Mac Race, as it's affectionately called, will begin July 18-19, 2025, and will commemorate the founding of the Chicago Yacht Club in 1875 with special entry incentives, the running of the rare "Ultra Mac," and a spectacular Mackinac Island fireworks display alongside other special events.

"The Race to Mackinac is a bucket-list race for sailors across the country and around the world, and we want to bring as many competitors together to celebrate this special running of our iconic race in honor of the Chicago Yacht Club's legacy," said Race Chairman Winn Soldani.

New for the 116th edition, Chicago Yacht Club has unveiled a new registration policy. Instead of issuing invitations to compete, registration will open to all yachts starting December 2nd, and require a non-refundable deposit to enter the race. Competing teams will then be encouraged to complete the entire online entry process as quickly as possible as preferred docking assignments will be made according to the order of completed entries.

The maximum number of entries for this edition of the race will be capped at 325 in anticipation of demand.

In honor of CYC's 150th Anniversary, new entries (those who have not previously entered the race) may qualify for $150 off their entry fee to help offset the startup costs to get their boat "race ready."

According to Soldani, all competitors and fans of the 2025 Mac Race should expect an unforgettable, milestone event complete with many more special events and awards yet to be announced, and culminating in a fireworks display at Mackinac Island to punctuate the momentous occasion.

"We've designed this year's race to be unforgettable and we hope to welcome sailors to a special running of one of the greatest races in the world in July 2025," said Soldani. "Whether you've competed in the race before or you're thinking about trying it out for the first time, this is the year to do it and we want to do everything we can to help you get to the starting line."

Next year, in celebration of CYC's 150th anniversary, the rare "Ultra Mac" will be run - a tour-de-force that sees teams race the Bayview Mackinac Race starting July 12, 2025 from Port Huron, Mich., to Mackinac Island and then continuing on down Lake Michigan to finish in Chicago. The Ultra Mac has only been held once in the past 25 years.

Registration for the 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust opens December 2. Please visit cycracetomackinac.com for more information on how to enter or email the race at .