Over 250 boats set sail from Chicago in Race to Mackinac

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Race to Mackinac is underway. Earlier Friday, sailors were preparing to set sail.

Over 250 boats and 2,100 racers from around the globe have gathered at Monroe Harbor for the 115th annual events. Among them is first timer Chicagoan 25-year-old Frank Yager.

“This is my first Mac race and first time up on the island. So, definitely excited to check it out and obviously the party afterwards and stuff of that nature.”

“I’ve been sailing on Lake Michigan for about 10 years now. So this is the next thing for me.”

The Chicago Yacht Club hosts the world's longest annual freshwater sailing race, which clocks in at 333 miles — a distance that takes some time.

“Probably be up on Monday morning, Monday afternoon is kind of the traditional area. I'm assuming the weather is in our favor, but that's kind of between 40, 60,” Yager said.

And if you are wondering when they sleep, Yager says they take shifts.

Frank says he's been sailing Lake Michigan for about a decade, and this race is the next step.

“I think the waves are going to be kind of behind us, you know, knock on wood. So it should be a nice race up and I think it's going to be beautiful weather. So we're ready to rock and roll.”

Next year, Yager hopes to be among the youngest skippers.

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