December 30, 2008 (CHICAGO YACHT CLUB) -- Today, Chicago Yacht Club announced plans for the Race to Mackinac Yacht Club Challenge, which will be organized in connection with the 2009 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. 2009 marks the 101st running of 'the Mac,' the world's longest annual freshwater sailing distance race. The 101st Mac will start off Chicago's lakefront on Friday, July 17, 2009 and Saturday, July 18, 2009.

Through the Yacht Club Challenge, many yacht clubs can participate in the excitement and competition of the 101st Mac. The Yacht Club Challenge will be organized and scored as follows: 1. All entrants in the 101st Mac, during the entry process, may choose ONE yacht club that they will represent. Entrants cannot race under more than one burgee, even if they are members of more than one club.

2. Any club having five or more boats sailing under its burgee will be eligible for the Yacht Club Challenge.

3. In order to enter the Yacht Club Challenge, a club must, through one of its flag officers, send a brief e-mail to racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org . The e-mail subject header should contain the club's name and the words 'Yacht Club Challenge Entry' in the subject header. Entries will be accepted until July 15, 2009, although clubs are encouraged to enter as soon as possible. There is no entry fee for the Yacht Club Challenge.

4. Each boat competing in the 101st Race will receive a Yacht Club Challenge score equal to their placement in their respective division, divided by the number of boats in that division.

5. Each yacht club's score will be derived by adding up the scores of all boats competing under its burgee (no throw outs), and then dividing by the number of boats. The lowest average score wins.

6. Yacht clubs winning first, second, and third place in the Yacht Club Challenge will receive engraved Mackinac trophies at the 101st Race Awards Dinner in November of 2009. Additionally, the first place yacht club will have its name inscribed on the prestigious Point Betsie Trophy, which is on display at Chicago Yacht Club's Monroe Street Station.

'Chicago Yacht Club is pleased to offer the Yacht Club Challenge for the 101st Race,' Greg Miarecki, chair of the Chicago Yacht Club Mackinac Committee, commented. 'For many years, yacht clubs around the Great Lakes have supported and cheered on their Mac racers. Through the Yacht Club Challenge, we hope to share more of the excitement and competition of the Mac with our sister clubs,' Miarecki explained.

Participation in the 333 statute mile race from Chicago Yacht Club to Mackinac Island, Michigan is by invitation only. Generally, if a sailor has competed in one of the last four Macs as a 'Person In Charge, he or she will automatically receive an invitation to compete in the 101st Race. Sailors who are not eligible for an automatic invitation may request an invitation through the official Race website at www.chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac.

Chicago Yacht Club looks forward to staging a world-class sailing race for skippers and crews. Should you have any questions about participating in the 101st Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, please contact Amanda Matta, Race Coordinator at 312.861.7777 or at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org .

About The Chicago Yacht Club
The Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Today, the club boasts a membership of nearly 1500 boating enthusiasts, and is one of the preeminent organizers of regattas, races and predicted-log events in the United States. The club offers an array of spectacular off-the-water amenities, including fine dining and full-service catering at both its Monroe and Belmont stations.

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Media Contact | Christie Denson | 312.861.7772 | denson@chicagoyachtclub.org