Great races in lead up to Bayview Port Huron Mackinac Race

by Bayview Port Huron Mackinac Race media on 11 Apr 2009 One thing that is fortunate is there are some great races in the Great Lakes to get tuned up for this year's Mackinac.

On June 5th there is the Invitational Mills Cup sponsored by the Toledo Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club on Lake Erie. This is a classic race was first held in 1907. Today, the regatta offers courses for jib and main boats all the way up to racer cruisers. The start is just outside of Maumee Bay. Course lengths vary from 30 miles to 75 miles with many shoreline veiws along the way. Participants on the long Mills course very often get to see the fireworks display at Sandusky. The finish is in Put-In Bay, a truly worthwhile destination. More information can be found at http://www.toledoyachtclub.com/millsrace

For those coming from Lake Michigan there is the Tripp Cup on June 24th and from Muskegon to Milwaukee and the Queen's Cup on June 26th in the opposite direction. The Queen's Cup is the one of the oldest cups in world yachting that is still offered for competition every year. Originally awarded as a special prize as a 50 guinea cup in 1853 in Cowes, England. Now known as the Queen's Cup, it was given by the Yaching Squadren for the outstanding regatta performance of the American yacht Silvie. Later deeded to the South Shore Yacht Club of Milwaukee, this race has been sailed more than 70 years. This 67 nm race info can be found at http://www.ssyc.org/index.php/queens-cup

The 2009 Lake Huron International Regatta hosted by the Port Huron Yacht Club on July 3rd. This race is a little younger than the ones above but has become extremely popular with racers that want that offshore experience. Its long course of 86 nm goes up the Canadian shore to Kettle Point, to Southern Lake Huron Weather Buoy, across Lake Huron to Port Sanilac, and down the U.S shore to finish at Port Huron. Shorter courses are of 53 and 47 nm are used for different classes. Divisions include IRC, PHRF, one design, cruising, ASM, and jib and main. Dockage is available at PHYC before and after the event. More information can be found at http://www.yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm

And finally if considering the 101st Chicago Race to Mackinac, time is running out for registration to this regatta held on July 18th, 2009. The entry limit is set to 350 entries and over 300 have already enrolled. Since both race committees share the same safety regulations, with the exception of the liferaft requirement, all yachts that are equipped for this Lake Michigan classic are legal for the Bayview Port Huron Mackinac Race. More information can be found at www.chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac