image courtesy the Chicago Yacht Club

Sailboat Racing Thrills and a Harrowing Man Overboard Moment from the 2025 Mackinac Races

Every summer, the Great Lakes come alive with the sight of hundreds of sails billowing against the horizon as two of the world's most prestigious freshwater sailing races get underway: the Bayview Mackinac Race from Port Huron and the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, which bring boaters up the coasts of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to the northern point of lower Michigan where the Mackinac Bridge connects the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan with a 5-mile suspension bridge over two of the world's largest freshwater lakes.

These events are steeped in over a century of tradition, attracting a diverse fleet of vessels, from sleek, modern racing yachts to classic wooden ketches. Just as you might see a hotrod or classic car parade passing in any Michigan summer, the sunny warm weather also brings out boats of all kinds, from the famous woodies of Walloon Lake (rebuilt historic wooden speedboats and sailboats) to yachts and sailboats of all kinds that cluster around yacht clubs near port cities like Charlevoix, Harbor Springs and Petoskey, Port Huron, and Chicago. In 2025, the races once again saw robust participation, with the Chicago Mac boasting a fleet of nearly 300 boats taking 28-40 hours to travel up the length of Lake Michigan (tougher than it sounds), and the Bayview Mac seeing just under 200, collectively bringing thousands of sailors to the storied waters of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. For many, it's a test of skill and endurance; for others, it's a floating festival of camaraderie and competition, followed closely by the the fun for all Ugotta Regatta, a more relaxed sailboat race between Harbor Springs and Petoskey that takes place after the Chicago Mac race every year.

The atmosphere at the start of these races is electric. Spectators line the shores to watch the majestic parade of boats, and a sense of shared adventure permeates the air. This year’s Chicago Mac even made a special effort to welcome new competitors, with 26 new boats and 380 first-time sailors joining the ranks. But beyond the festive spirit, these races are a profound test of seamanship, where the unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes can turn a thrilling competition into a life-or-death situation in an instant. There is a reason Lake Michigan is said to have a sort of Bermuda Triangle after all. These waters can turn a fun day on the lake into a dangerous situation pretty quickly.

During the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race, this reality hit home for the crew of the 70-foot sailboat Trident. Just hours into the race on Lake Huron, a violent squall descended, knocking the vessel on its side. In the chaos, veteran sailor Pete Pryce was thrown overboard into the churning waves. "It was a clean fall," Pryce later recounted to BlueWater Sailing Magazine. "I didn't hit any rigging or winches.”

What followed was a dramatic, hour-long ordeal. His crewmates on Trident immediately sprang into action, tossing flotation devices into the water. Ken Colpaert, the skipper of Trident, described the harrowing moment to Shifting Gears with Phoebe Wall Howard: “Our deck was at 90 degrees to the water.” With Pryce lost from sight in the building waves, a call went out, and competing boats abandoned their race to join the search (this is not the kind of race where people sabotage each other or are super competitive). Finally, the crew of the Amante 2 spotted Pryce and pulled him from the water. “Shout out to the boat that rescued me,” Pryce told WXYZ-TV Detroit. “The guys were first class all the way.”

The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the sport and the deep-seated sense of community among sailors on these freshwater seas that act more like ocean than inland lake. Paul Falcone, the Commodore of the Bayview Yacht Club, praised the response, stating in a release reported by CBS Detroit, "It's a testament to their skill, preparedness, and the shared commitment to safety that all sailors share any time they are on the water." It was a moment that underscored the profound respect these sailors have for the power of the lakes and for each other.

For those inspired by the spirit of competition and community, you can learn more about participating in these historic events by visiting the official race websites:

Bayview Mackinac Race: bycmack.com

Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac: cycracetomackinac.com