117th Chicago to Mackinac Race Underway

A fleet of sailboats has officially commenced their journey from Chicago's Monroe Harbor, marking the start of the 117th annual Race to Mackinac. The iconic freshwater sailing race challenges competitors with a demanding course across Lake Michigan.

This year's event sees numerous yachts of varying sizes and classes vying for line honors and class victories. The starting gun fired Saturday morning, sending the diverse assembly of vessels out onto the lake under favorable conditions, signaling the long overnight passage that lies ahead.

The race, a long-standing tradition in the sailing community, tests both the skill of the sailors and the endurance of their vessels as they navigate the approximately 333-nautical-mile route. Spectators gathered along the Chicago shoreline to witness the spectacle of sails filling the horizon as the fleet departed.