Although the Chicago to Mackinac races were skipped in 1917-1920 due to World War I, they were sailed every year of World War II.

In addition to the Mackinac race, the Club will host the National Offshore One Design (NOOD) Regatta June 11-13, 2010, the 505 North American Championship June 23-26, 2010, and many other competitive sailboat races.

They were held on the same weekend until 1939, when both clubs agreed to alternate the date of their Mackinac races, scheduling them a week apart.

Racers who have completed 25 of the annual Port Huron to Mackinac races are called "Old Goats", while those who have completed 50 are called "Grand Rams".

I grew up in Chicago, and made my first Mackinac race when I was 15 years old.

An experienced Chicago sailor Donald Wilson captained the yacht, chartering it from a Florida businessman for both the Port Huron and Chicago to Mackinac races.

But the Mackinac races in July, highlights of the busy Great Lakes racing season, are unfairly overlooked in the roster of annual sailing challenges.

The bay is also home to the annual Ugotta Regatta hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club in Harbor Springs, and involving many of the same boats as the Chicago and Port Huron to Mackinac races, held the two weekends before.

Although highly competitive in its 85-year history, the Mackinac race has taken a back seat to the grand-prix circuits of ocean racing.

Nathan, back from a presentable finish in the Mackinac race (second in class, fifth in fleet), phoned to asked about the Duke and Duchess game.