CYC Race to Mackinac - Windquest is first to finish in racing fleet

by Rachelle Treiber on 15 Jul 2013 In the Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac, congratulations go to Windquest, a Max Z86 owned by Dick and Doug DeVos, on being first to finish in the racing fleet.

Windquest finished late Sunday evening at 21:56 CDT. Doug DeVos said it seemed like there were two different races in one, with the first leg benefitting from a good breeze, and the second facing challenging wind conditions.

'The first part of the race was lots of fun, good breeze, we made good time and moved along. Then the last bit from just north of the Manitous on up was very challenging, a lot of light air and really tough,' he said.

With seven family members among the crew of 20, two of whom sailed in their first Mac, DeVos said it was the memories that were most important this year.

'I think they're lifelong memories. I don't know if they'll do another Mackinac and catch the bug or not, but they'll know how important it's been in our family for so many years. For them to experience it and understand the feeling - the feeling of win, no win, of finishing - that's a great memory,' he said.

Il Mostro, a Volvo 70 owned by Peter Thornton, was neck and neck with Windquest in the Turbo Section for most of the race but slowed a bit with light winds toward the end, finishing at 23:18 CDT.

Thornton said it was a 'long, hard race.'

'It was okay until this morning, but then it got very difficult. We thought we were gonna be in at 4:30, 5 o'clock, but then everything quit,' he said. 'Overall, it was great except for this morning. It was very light, fluky air and we didn't come in first, so when that happens you don't have the greatest time, but it was all right.'

Despite an admittedly disappointing finish, Thornton said the camaraderie among the crew was 'what it's all about.'

Infinite Diversion, a Hanse 630 owned and skippered by Joseph Haas, was first to finish in the cruising division, coming in earlier Sunday at 13:48 CDT.

As of 1:00 a.m. CDT (Monday, July 15), the majority of the fleet had passed Point Betsie, still fighting light CYC Race to Mackinac