Lands' End Business Outfitters is delighted to return as the Presenting Sponsor of the 100th Running of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. Lands' End, like many of you, is eagerly anticipating this once in a lifetime event. To help commemorate the 100th Race, Lands' End has created an outstanding line of official Race apparel and gear. Please visit the Lands' End tent at Monroe Station in Chicago, and on the grounds of the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island.

But you don't need to wait until Mac Week to purchase your official Race gear. This year, we are pleased to present our online Official Race to Mac Apparel Guide, which can be accessed by clicking here . All prices include embroidery with this year's official Race logo. If you’d like your boat logo added as well, just call for a quote. As a special 100th race offer, you will receive a free cap when your purchase from the Apparel Guide totals $100 or more.

When you are done with this year's Race, remember that Lands' End can help with all of your boating gear needs -- from pleasure boating to dinghy racing. And when you really must step off the boat to return to work, Business Outfitters is happy to travel along, providing quality team apparel sporting your company logo. They guarantee your business exceptional values on apparel and gifts your employees and customers will enjoy. To outfit the crew you work or sail with, call 1-800-497-6581.

If you have any questions regarding 100th Race to Mackinac, please click here to send us an e-mail. We look forward to seeing you all this July!

Greg Miarecki
Chair
2008 Race to Mackinac Committee

John Maher
Vice President
Lands’ End Business Outfitters

We have seen many of you in the boatyard over the past couple of weeks, getting ready for the 2008 sailing season. We look forward to seeing you on the water soon.

Please remember that, in order to participate in the 100th Race to Mackinac, you must have a CURRENT Offshore Racing Rule certificate. In order to obtain this certificate, you must contact US Sailing. If you have not done so already, we strongly encourage you to obtain your rating and submit it to us as soon as possible. While rating certificates are due on or before June 6, 2008, please do not wait until June to get this done. Failure to meet deadlines in the Notice of Race can result in significant late fees or cancellation of your entry.

Pursuant to the Notice of Race, each skipper must complete an online Race Tracking Form and submit proof of liability insurance. We also encourage you to submit these items as soon as possible.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org if you have any questions.

Regards,

Greg J. Miarecki

Chair

2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

May 1, 2008 (CHICAGO YACHT CLUB) Today, Chicago Yacht Club announced that it will offer bus service to returning from the 100th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Lands' End Business Outfitters. Buses will pick up sailors in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23rd and drop off in downtown Chicago. Bus tickets are available for $65 before June 17, 2008, $75 between June 18, 2008 and July 19, 2008, and $100 for tickets purchase on Mackinac Island. Buses are restroom equipped and will carry light refreshments. Ticket order forms and more information can be found available by CLICKING HERE

'We understand that many of our sailors need to return home soon after the Race. This service will make it much easier for them to do so,' Jim Clark, Chicago Yacht Club's General Manager, explained. 'We expect this bus service will be popular and encourage you to sign-up early.'

To secure your spot on the bus, fill out the Ticket Request Form, indicating your pick-up and drop-off preferences, and mail the along with your payment to Chicago Yacht Club, 400 E. Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603 Attn: Amanda Matta. If you have questions, contact racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org or 312-861-7777.

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.

About Lands' End
Established in 1963, on the promise of delivering high-quality merchandise at a great value, Lands' End® offers a complete line of clothing and accessories for women, men, children and infants and an innovative collection of fine-quality goods for the home. Lands' End Business Outfitters designs unique uniform programs that offer employees individual choices and helps build the brands of companies of all sizes, including hundreds of Fortune 1,000 companies. And, all Lands' End merchandise is Guaranteed. Period.®

We have been receiving many media inquiries regarding the 100th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. This year, we expect to see more intense coverage of the Race on television and radio and in newspapers and magazines. Members of the media have expressed interest in joining a crew this year, so that they can provide more detailed coverage of the Race. Some are sailors, and some are not. If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of hosting a member of the media during this year's Race, please e-mail racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org and place the term Media Coverage in the subject line of your e-mail.

Regards,

Greg J. Miarecki

Chair

2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

Due to the overwhelming response to the 100th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, we have secured docking space in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City to ease congestion at Mackinac Island. While we are unable to accommodate everyone's docking preference, we were able to provide many of you with your first docking choice. If you entered and/or paid late, your chances of receiving your preferred docking location were diminished. You will find a list of boats and docking locations, click here. In early July, we plan to publish additional information regarding docking on Mackinac Island. This information will give Mackinac Island dockers some idea of where we plan to place them upon finishing the Race.

Those of you docking in St. Ignace will be able to purchase reduced price ferry tickets from the Arnold Line, while those docking in Mackinaw City will be able to purchase reduced price ferry tickets from Shepler's Ferry. Regardless of where you are docked, you will have access to a special Mac late night ferry service on Monday and Tuesday night thanks to the support of the Arnold Line and Shepler's Ferry.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org.

Greg J. Miarecki
Chair
2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

We have received many inquiries regarding docking in Chicago before the 100th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. Full information regarding docking procedures will be published in the Sailing Instructions, which will be available in June. This letter is intended to provide preliminary information on docking procedures in Chicago, and to provide out of town skippers with an opportunity to reserve your choice of docking location. As in prior years, Chicago-area boats will not be able to dock at Club facilities beginning on Wednesday of Race Week. We will, however, be providing these boats limited 'touch and go' docking for loading and unloading.

I. Chicago Yacht Club Docking Locations

Chicago Yacht Club has two stations – one at Monroe Harbor and one at Belmont Harbor. This year, to accommodate the large number of out of town boats, we will be offering docking at both locations. Our Monroe Station can accommodate boats drafting up to approximately eleven feet, while our Belmont Station can accommodate boats drafting up to eight feet. Monroe Station docking will be in the center of the action. It will be very crowded, and ingress and egress will be difficult at times. Our Belmont Station is located approximately four miles north of Monroe Station. This facility has been recently renovated, and offers a more laid back experience. We will be running a shuttle bus between Monroe and Belmont Stations on the Thursday and Friday before the Race. Additionally, cabs and buses traveling between these locations are inexpensive and readily accessible.

We invite out of town boats to take advantage of either docking location, free of charge, beginning on Wednesday, July 16 at 1200 hours. However, in order to take advantage of this docking, you must make a reservation in advance. Reservations can be made via an e-mail to dockmaster@chicagoyachtclub.org. In your e-mail, please provide the following information:

• Skipper name

• Name of boat

• Boat's home port (only out of town boats may dock at Monroe and Belmont)

• Choice of location (Monroe or Belmont)

• Estimated date and time of arrival in Chicago (must be between 0800 to 2000)

You cannot dock at Monroe or Belmont Stations without making a reservation. We will be accepting reservations until July 5, 2008. However, if you wish to berth at either of our stations, we strongly recommend making a reservation as soon as possible.

All sailors docking at Monroe or Belmont Station must observe the following rules and regulations:

• If your docking plans change, and you will not arrive at your reserved time, you must contact the CYC Dockmaster either via e-mail at dockmaster@chicagoyachtclub.org or via telephone at (312) 617-4526 or (312) 861-7777.

• Upon arrival in Chicago, please contact the Dockmaster via VHF Channel 09 and ask for docking instructions. Please do not tie up to any vacant space or raft position without Dockmaster confirmation.

• Boats will be assigned to specific 'zones' depending on dimensions and Race start time.

• In order to accommodate the large number of boats joining us this year, the Dockmaster may need to move boats periodically. At least one crew member must remain on the boat between 0800 and 2000. This crew member must be capable of moving the boat if necessary. Additionally, each boat will be provided with a 'contact tag.' This tag should contain contact information for the skipper and/or crew in the event the Dockmaster needs to reach them.

• All boats will be subject to rafting. Please note that adequate fenders and docklines will be required both in Chicago and at Mackinac Island. There are no exceptions.

• The Chicago Yacht Club House and Ground Rules will be enforced. In particular:

o Footwear will be worn at all times on the docks or in the Clubhouses, to ensure safety of you and the people around you.

o Shirts will also be worn at all times.

o At no time is outside alcohol allowed on the docks or in the clubhouses. All alcoholic products in and around the clubhouses must be purchased from the Club.

Our Dockmaster, Ryan McPheeters, is looking forward to helping everyone find a good place to dock. Please instruct your crew members and friends to follow directions from Ryan and his staff. I have asked Ryan to report any infractions of docking rules to me immediately. Please understand that, while we do not wish to engage in unnecessary administrative protests, we can and will take all measures necessary to make the docking experience safe and pleasant for all.

II. Other Docking Locations

If you are interested in a reserved slip during Race Week, you will need to contact Westrec Marinas, the company that manages the Chicago harbor system. We are working with Westrec to make transient slips available for Race participants. We expect to provide additional information on this option after May 15th.

In previous years, many participants have docked near other Chicago-area yacht clubs. If you would like to dock in those locations this year, we would strongly encourage you to make a reservation with those clubs well in advance.

If you have a deep draft boat (over eleven feet), you may have difficulty accessing our Monroe or Belmont Stations. We are working with our friend and Race sponsor, Crowley's Yacht Yard, to provide deep-water docking near the Crowley facility on the Calumet River. We expect to provide additional information on this option after May 15th.

We look forward to seeing you all in Chicago this July. As always, please contact us via e-mail at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org with any questions.

Regards,

Greg J. Miarecki
Chair
2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

On behalf of the members of Chicago Yacht Club, I invite you to join us for a special event commemorating the 100th Race to Mackinac – Mac Stories Night. On Friday, April 11, 2008, we will gather at Chicago Yacht Club's newly-renovated Belmont Station (located at Belmont and Lake Shore Drive) to share great stories about your Race. We are offering a reasonably priced, not to mention tasty, a la carte dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., we will begin our program. We are pleased to announce that five overall winners of the Race will be on hand to entertain you with stories of boat preparation, skill, and luck – the three essential elements to winning the Race. Grant Crowley will moderate the program, and a question and answer session will follow.

If you would like to join us, please contact the Club at 312-861-7777 and give us your name and number of people that will be joining you. The program is FREE; you only pay for what you eat and drink. The price of the food is $12 inclusive (for a choice of sandwich, cup of soup and a serving of pasta salad). However, space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your place by calling today.

Please contact us at racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org if you have any questions. We hope to see you on the 11th!

Greg J. Miarecki
Chair
2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

Despite the falling snow outside our doors, we are continuing to prepare for the 100th Race to Mackinac, presented by Lands' End Business Outfitters. We are very much looking forward to seeing you all in Chicago this July. There are many things you can do NOW to get your boat and crew ready to race, even while the snow is falling.

1. Review Safety Regulations. The Mackinac Safety Regulations are posted on-line on our website. We encourage you to review them carefully and order any safety gear that you will need for the Race now. Supplies of safety equipment, especially flares, can be limited in the Midwest during June and July.

2. Submit ORR Certificate to CYC. If you have already received your ORR certificate, please forward it to us via e-mail as soon as possible. Receipt of your certificate now will assist us in creating section breaks. If you have not received an ORR certificate from US Sailing, please submit your rating application to the US Sailing Offshore Office as soon as possible, so that you will receive your certificate in plenty of time for the Race. If you still need to get your boat measured, we STRONGLY encourage you to contact an ORR measurer immediately. If you need a referral for a measurer, please contact us.

3. Submit Insurance Certificate to CYC. Our NOR requires all skippers to provide evidence of liability insurance. If you already have a copy of an insurance certificate that will be in force during the time period surrounding the Race, please send it to as soon as possible. If you do not have a certificate that will be in force during this time period, we recommend that you work with your insurance carrier to obtain one as soon as possible.

4. Submit Your On-Line Race Tracking Application. This year, thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, all boats will be equipped with a position transponder free of charge. Skippers need to fill out a Race Tracking Application, which can be accessed by entering your login information and accessing your profile. You will be asked to provide a credit card number. This number will NOT BE CHARGED, provided that you return the transponder to us on Mackinac Island after the Race. We encourage you to complete this application now.

These suggestions are intended to minimize your heartburn and maximize your fun during the summer, especially during Race Week. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Many of you have already contacted us on various issues. We enjoy communicating with you, and look forward to providing you with additional updates in the coming weeks.

Regards,

Greg J. Miarecki

Chair

2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

March 2008 (Chicago Yacht Club ) Our fifth installment of the Mac Chat series features Island Goat, Lindy Thomas, skipper of Goblin. Lindy, a long-time Chicago Yacht Club member, hasn't missed a Mac race since the 1970s. He currently serves on the Mackinac Committee.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LINDY THOMAS VIDEO

We are pleased to announce that the safety regulations for the 2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac are available on-line. To download a copy, visit www.chicagoyachtclub.org/racetomackinac and select from 'Monohulls' or 'Multihulls' under the 'Documents' tab.

Beginning in the early fall, Bayview and Chicago Yacht Clubs began working together to develop a single set of safety regulations for both Mackinac Races. This effort was successful. In 2008, both Races will utilize the 'Mackinac Safety Regulations.' We strongly encourage all skippers to carefully review the MSR as soon as possible, and to obtain any necessary safety gear well in advance of the Race. It can sometimes be difficult to purchase safety items at the last minute.

Sail safe. As always, please direct any questions or comments to racecoordinator@chicagoyachtclub.org

Regards,
Greg J. Miarecki
Chair
2008 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac