Every year John Lusk meets his friends near the Port Huron Yacht Club, setting up camp in the shade of the same tree to watch the parade of boats heading to the start of the Port Huron-to-Mackinac Island Sailboat Race.
It's a fun tradition among the friends, but every year it seemed there were a few less boats than in the previous race. That was, until this year when they sat down to watch the centennial race. The 100 year celebration seemed to breathe new life into the race, drawing more boats, more sailors and more onlookers.
"We were just talking about the number of boats and how it's a throwback to previous years," Lusk said.
Sailboats from across the country were gathered on the Black River Monday to participate in the 100th Port Huron-to-Mackinac Island Sailboat Race. According to the race's website, 316 teams were registered to compete in the centennial race, about 100 more than joined in 2023.
This year's race follows the original course created in 1925, which will take boats north along the shoreline before heading west, passing south of Bois Blanc Island and finishing west to east at the finish line between Round Island and Mackinac Island. This course is 204 nautical miles.
Kenneth Tanner, a Grosse Pointe resident joining the race as part of the California Girl's crew, said he was proud to join in the 100th race. He said he also sailed in the 100th Chicago-to-Mackinac Island Boat Race in 2008.
"It's a classic race, and to do this for the centennial race is an honor," Tanner said.
It's Bobby Bloomfield's first time participating in the race, though he has experience from other races. He joined the crew of the Siochail through an acquaintance who recommended him for the sailing team.
Bloomfield is working with one of the most experienced sailors in the race, Brian Geraghty. He's participated in the race every year it was run for 44 years and was the historian for the Bayview Yacht Club.
Geraghty said he accepted Bloomfield on the team because he's from Chatman, Ontario and likes the recruit Canadians to join the race.
Right next to the Siochail was the Contender. Scott Graham, who travelled from Florida to Port Huron to participate in the race said this year it is taking place on his 50th anniversary, so it's an uniquely special occasion.
"It's a hallmark race and it's special to be joining with my dad," Graham said.
The Contender won the M Class race in 2016, a feat they're hoping they can pull of a second time.
Down the river is another team looking to add a win under their belts, the crew of the Pirate. Captain Jeff Henderson, another Florida resident, has won the Class P Cruising race running the 1925 course nine times in almost 50 years of competing.
"Each year is better than the year before," Henderson said.
Each crew member wears a shirt with a pirate on the back saying "Give us the island and no one gets hurt," a cheeky reference to their destination in the race. Henderson said his boat brings a long history with it, having been built in France in 1992 (the crew is sure this is lucky because crew member Pierre Fleury is a French native) and that he bought it in the British Virgin Islands.
"The trick is to be lucky, and to have the right crew when it matters," Henderson said.
The race can be tracked online at https://bycmack.com/tracking/ .
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: 100th Port Huron-to Mackinac Island Sailboat Race draws large crowds
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