The 2022 Bayview Mackinac race features more than 180 boats and the return of two courses
Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit will present the 98e back-to-back race of the Bayview Mackinac Race on Saturday, July 16, starting at 11:30 a.m. in southern Lake Huron and ending in the Straits of Mackinac at Mackinac Island.
Over 180 boats are scheduled to compete in this year’s race. For the first time since 2019, sailors will race on two Lake Huron courses: the 290-nautical-mile Cove Island course, which takes boats into Canadian waters; and the 204 nautical mile coastal course along the Michigan coastline.
Boats and crews sailing the Cove Island course will compete for the JL Hudson Trophy, while racers on the Shore course will compete for the Canadian Club Classic Trophy. The Corinthian Trophy will go to the boat with an all-amateur crew and set the fastest corrected time in seconds per mile on either course.
“It’s great to see such a strong group of competitors for the 2022 Bayview Mackinac Race to take place,” said Chris Clark, 2022 Race Chairman. Lake Huron. Crews have been anticipating the return of the Cove Island course for the past two years, so we expect some fierce racing between competitors.
Over the past five years, the Mackinac Race Authority has consciously taken steps to become an increasingly environmentally friendly race. From minimizing printed material and replacing it with digital communications and documents to eliminating plastic arc stickers and moving to virtual course markers.
To that end, for 2022 the Bayview Mackinac Race has signed up as a clean regatta with Sailors for the Sea. All owners and crew have access to the Clean Regatta Toolkit, which outlines 20 best practices for teams, including eliminating plastic waste and other green boating practices.
“As with any cultural change, the first step is awareness. Our event is working hard to improve; we now need our competitors to become more aware and take action,” says Clark. “As Sailors for the Sea says, it’s not about perfection; it is about progress. The future of our sport depends on protecting our environment.
This year, the Island Awards Party returns to Mission Point Resort in Mackinac Island on Tuesday July 19th.
“Mission Point Resort has embraced us. Everyone looks forward to seeing all of the upgrades the Ware family has made to the facilities and grounds. We look forward to a long-term partnership,” says Matt Prost, General Manager and Director of operation of the Bayview Yacht Club.
As previously announced, in anticipation of the 2024 Bayview Mackinac Race, its 100e consecutive, the Chicago Yacht Club has agreed to change the start dates with Bayview for 2023.
Traditionally, races held on the second and third weekends of July are alternated between the two clubs. As a result of the agreement, the 2023 Bayview Mackinac Race will be held first (July 15, 2023) and the following year the Centennial Race will be held second (July 20, 2024).
Atwater Brewery and DraftKings Inc. are the presenting sponsors of the event. New sponsors for 2022 are Shinola, FUL Beverage, Aperol/Campari America, Mission Point Resort, Claddagh Coffee Roasters and Precision Garage Door of Southeast Michigan. Returning sponsors are Tito’s, Faygo, Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, Sika Corp., Marx Layne, High Winds Graphix, Pink Pony, Aitken & Ormond Insurance. and Frankenmuth Insurance.
Each year, the race’s economic impact on the communities involved is approximately $30-59 million (depending on weather conditions), making it one of the premier events held in the state of Michigan and a event having a significant economic impact on a host. local businesses in Michigan, especially in tourism.
