SPORTS

Countdown to Mackinac Race begins

Joseph Hayes
Times Herald
Revelry of Grosse (from left), Prosecco of Whitby Yacht Club Pointe Sailing Club, and Whirlwind of Tawas Bay Yacht Club sail on Lake Huron during the Cruising C Class of an annual Port Huron to Mackinac Island. Mark R. Rummel/The Times Herald (Port Huron) Revelry of Grosse, left; Prosecco of Whitby Yacht Club Pointe Sailing Club, center; and Whirlwind of Tawas Bay Yacht Club sail up the lake Saturday, July 14, 2012, during the Cruising C Class of an annual Port Huron to Mackinac Island, Mich., sailboat race. (AP Photo/The Times Herald, Mark R. Rummel) NO SALES

In just over a month, a longstanding tradition will return to the Blue Water Area.

The 92nd running of the Port Huron-to Mackinac Island Sailboat Race will take begin at 11:30 a.m., July 16 in lower Lake Huron. Not far from that location, the preview of the event was held with a press conference event at the Double Tree Hotel.

"This is a time the city of Port Huron really gets excited about," Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp said. "The economic impact for our downtown is very significant and residents truly enjoy the festivities of this Michigan tradition.

"It’s a time for people are either coming for the first time or they are deciding to come home and visit. So it’s just because of the pageantry of the race and all of the activities that go around it."

That includes Blue Water Fest, which will return from July 14-16. Registration for the Sailboat Race continues to impress. There are currently 227 boats slated to participate, including 15 boats entering for the first time.

"This race is all about hundreds of families, multiple generations and volunteers that have served for decades," Race Chairman Kyle Burleson said. "We are always trying to change the race to constantly improve what we put on for the sailors. There is a slight change this year for our Division 1 sailors that sail the Cove Island Course. They will be sailing under what is known as the offshore racing rule.

"This rating system is based off of what is called the velocity prediction program and a weather model program that is shaped to mirror weather conditions we face during the race. We believe this will provide for a more competitive race for the bigger and faster boats particularly sailing in Division 1."

With the beginning of the race just over a month away, many are eagerly anticipating the event. But not all of them will be entirely focused on the sailboat race. With the event also returns the Set Sail for Autism program that gives young adults with autism a chance at sailboat racing.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic what they are doing," Frank Frisk said. "The last two years we partnered with Oakland University to expand this program, Set Sail for Autism.

"I'm very proud to being a part of this. I think it's a matter of making people aware of the dedication and devotion people here locally have for good projects. Once they see it in play, they realize they want to get on board and help out. It's like a snowball rolling down the hill."

Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @Joseph_Hayes11. Listen to him every weekday from 4-8 p.m. on 88.3 FM. 

Port Huron to Mackinac Sailboat Race

WHEN: July 16

WHERE: Lower Lake Huron

MORE DETAILS: Go to www.bycmack.com.

Registration surges as Mackinac Race nears