Bayview Yacht Club names Honorary Race Committee for the 100th Bayview Mackinac Race

Bayview Mackinac Race © Martin Chumiecki

Bayview Yacht Club, one of the nation's most storied and historic sailing clubs, today announced the Honorary Race Committee for the 100th Bayview Mackinac Race, the world's longest consecutively run freshwater yacht race.

The list is comprised of sailors with a unique connection to Bayview Yacht Club's historic annual event who have performed significant accomplishments in the sport of sailing. The 100th Bayview Mackinac Race is set to start on July 20, 2024.

"As we look towards the 100th running of this great Race, we are looking at ways to elevate it to the level it, and all the participants deserve. This is why we have put together this Honorary Race Committee for the 2024 Bayview Mackinac Race, "said Charlie Trost, 2024 Bayview Mackinac Race Chair. "These men and women are a select group who have sailed in the Race and accomplished great things in the sport of sailing globally. They will add insights and ideas to help put on the best race possible."

"Each year, the Race attracts sailors at every level of the sport, from amateur sailors who make this Race the highlight of their summer every year to professional racers who have reached the highest heights in sailing. It is our obligation to present them with the best experience, both on and off the water, this committee will help us to accomplish our goals," said Mike Helm, 2024 Bayview Yacht Club Commodore.

The Honorary Race Committee is comprised of the following individuals, all of whom are Michigan natives and have extensive experience with the Bayview Mackinac Race:

Stuart Argo, Jr. - Argo, a product of Bayview Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Program, has gone on to be part of seven America's Cup campaigns including winning the America's Cup XXVIII in 1992, aboard America3. Additionally, he won the 1988 Canada's Cup aboard Challenge 88 and competed in several other Canada's Cup campaigns. Argo has accomplished many wins in his sailing career worldwide and continues to make the Bayview Mackinac Race a part of his summer every year having the honor of being a "Double Goat" with 65 combined Bayview and Chicago Mackinac races.

David and Peter Askew - David and Peter started sailing in the Bayview Yacht Club Junior Sailor program. They reached the top of the sailing world in 2019, when they won the World Sailing Team of the Year after winning the Caribbean 600; and by being the first American boat in over 30 years to win the Fastnet Race on their Volvo 70 Wizard, winning the race overall. That same year, they also won the Transatlantic Race and Pineapple Cup, and in 2018 won the Sydney to Hobart Race. Other offshore wins for the Askew brothers include the Transpac and Newport Bermuda Race. The Askews cut their teeth in offshore sailing on the Great Lakes and have each won multiple Bayview Mackinac Races.

Commodore Bruce Burton - Com. Burton served as Commodore of Bayview Yacht Club in 2010 and went on to serve as the United States Sailing Association's (US Sailing) President and the United States Olympic Sailing Chair. Com. Burton is a back-to-back world champion in the Etchells class and has spent a lifetime serving the sport of sailing.

Bora Gulari - The 2009 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Bora has racked up championships in various classes, including the International Moth (two-time world champion); Melges 24, and represented the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics. To this day, Bora is often seen sailing on Com. Phil & Sharon O'Niel's PAC 52 Natalie J.

Peter Harken - It would be a rare occurrence to step on a sailboat and not see the Harken name on a piece of hardware. Along with his brother Olaf, Peter founded Harken Inc. in 1967, with their start in the scow and iceboat communities, and quickly took over the sailing world with their hardware found on Olympic boats, America's Cup boats, and everything from an Optimist to mega yachts and ocean racers. Peter was inducted into the Sailing Hall of Fame in 2014.

Bill Martin - Martin has a lifetime invested in the Bayview Mackinac Race on a variety of boats, the latest being his Santa Cruz 70 Stripes. He has served as the President of US Sailing, the US Olympic Committee and as athletic director at the University of Michigan. Martin has won multiple Bayview Mackinac Races and was inducted into the US Sailing Hall of Fame in 2017.

Dawn Riley - A pioneer for women in sailing, Riley's accomplishments include being part of the first all-female crew in both the Whitbread Round the World Race and America's Cup. Dawn has broken more than a few glass ceilings in the sport of sailing and now serves as Executive Director of New York-based Oakcliff Sailing. This national sail training organization trains the next generation of America's next top sailors. She is the youngest and first female to become a 'dual famer' at the National Sailing and America's Cup Halls of Fame.

There are more than 185 boats pre-registered for the 100th Bayview Mackinac Race including from Florida, Texas, Minnesota and North Carolina. For additional information, the latest updates, to pre-register or inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 99th and 100th Bayview Mackinac Race visit, bycmack.com.