The 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is fully under way after 208 Racing Division boats started Saturday morning in ideal upwind conditions.

The “Skyline Sprint,” introduced last year in celebration of Chicago Yacht Club’s 150th anniversary, provided Chicagoans the opportunity to see the 208 Racing Division boats engaged in intense tacking battles along the shoreline towards the turning mark near Montrose Harbor.

Racing Division Sets Sail in Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac 2026 – photo © Ian Roman

The Cruising Division, which began yesterday afternoon, is currently passing Big Sable Point, with the first boats predicted to arrive at Mackinac Island on Sunday afternoon.

Racing Division Sets Sail in Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac 2026 © Ian Roman

As the fleets move north, attention now turns to the approaching wind shift and whether the faster Racing Division boats can close the gap on the Cruising Division before the first finishers reach Mackinac Island on Sunday.

Racing Division Sets Sail in Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac 2026 – photo © Ian Roman

How teams anticipate and manage that transition could play a decisive role in determining who reaches the podium. Race fans can follow every move through the virtual race tracker.

HOW TO WATCH: Live Race Tracking and CYCRTM social media

Fans will be able to follow both the cruising and racing fleets via YB Tracking here. Each boat is equipped with a satellite tracker that sends GPS information (location, speed, and direction) every 15 minutes and displays the location and track on the race course.

For more information, visit www.cycracetomackinac.com

Racing Division Sets Sail in Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac 2026 – photo © Ian Roman

by Chicago Yacht Club