As the 99th edition of the Bayview Mackinac Race draws near, officials say interest in the nearly century-old sailboat race is increasing.

 

That added interest in the event, often referred to as the Port Huron to Mackinac race, is coming from competitors and sponsors alike, according to 2023 race Chair Kevin Thomas.

 

Thomas said more than 200 sailboats are registered for this year’s race, set to begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday from Port Huron in southern Lake Huron. That is a 15% increase over last year. More than 50 of this year’s competitors are first-time participants or boats returning from a hiatus, Thomas said.

 

Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit launched its signature Lake Huron race in 1925 with 12 yachts competing.

This year represents the first time the race has had so many competitors since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020. Since then, the club made $5 million in renovations to entice new members.

 

Paul Hulsey, 2023 Bayview Yacht Club commodore, said anticipation for next year’s 100th running of the race is already high with 202 boats already registered. New and returning sponsorship partners have inquired about being a part of the 2024 event, he said.

Thomas said the increased interest from sponsors is due to a variety of factors, including the 100th anniversary.

The Bayview Mackinac Race Foundation is the presenting sponsor this year. New sponsors include Wagoneer by Jeep, the official vehicle of the race; Birmingham-based Griffin Claw Brewing Co.; Finnish beverage maker The Long Drink; Grosse Pointe Farms-based law firm Dickie McCamey; tooling supplier South Bay Supply; Flagstar Bank, and software developer MicroCODE Inc.

Returning sponsors include Faygo, Tito’s vodka, Precision Garage Door, Mission Point Resort, Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry, Sika Corp., Pink Pony, public relations firm Marx Layne and Co., High Winds Graphix and Aitken & Ormond and Frankenmuth Insurance companies.

 

Thomas declined to disclose details on sponsorship deals, event budget and revenue projections.

Credit: Bayview Yacht Club. Thousands of fans take in the 2022 Bayview Mackinac Race.

 

He said race staff work hard to sign presenting sponsors, but officials are also looking for partners willing to serve as multi-year sponsors to allow Bayview officials to implement unique activations to benefit sponsors, Bayview and racers. The race annually adds between $30 million and $59 million to the state economy, Thomas said.

 

“Because we host so many events throughout the summer at Bayview in Detroit that are open to the public, we offer sponsors the opportunity to reach a wide range of people who they may not normally be exposed to,” Thomas said. “We’re able to offer sponsors a very loyal and targeted audience, and we look for different ways to showcase sponsors. As part of the partnership, (Jeep) for example is able to have a Wagoneer on Mackinac Island in front of Mission Point Resort, which is a rather unique opportunity.”

 

Budgeting for the race now calls for some juggling, he said.

 

“Our goal is to break even every year but the costs of running the race have increased by 20% since the pandemic,” Thomas said. “We create a budget each year designed for us to sustain the race, and this is the 99th straight year we’ve run the race, so we’re doing something right.”

 

This year, more than 1,600 sailors and 1,100 shore crew will take part in the event. Sailors will run one of two courses on Lake Huron, ending at Mackinac Island: the 298-mile Cove Island Course, which takes boats into Canadian waters, and the 235-mile Shore Course along the Michigan shoreline. The entry fee is based on boat length at $23 per foot.

 

The race offers competitors a chance to bring home some hardware.

 

Boats and crews sailing on the Cove Island Course will compete for the overall J.L. Hudson Trophy, while the Shore Course racers battle for the overall Canadian Club Classic Trophy. The Corinthian Trophy will be awarded to the boat with an all-amateur crew that achieves the best corrected time in seconds per mile on either course.

 

The Island Awards Party, where flags and trophies are presented to the winning captains of each division and class, will take place Tuesday at Mission Point Resort.

 

With the 100th running of the Bayview race set for July 24, 2024, there may be some special happenings planned to commemorate the occasion.

 

“Using the original course has been discussed — taking the fleet up the Michigan shore and south of Bois Blanc Island,” Thomas said. “Nothing’s set in stone, though.”

Jay Davis is a reporter covering restaurants, retail and small business issues for Crain’s Detroit Business. Prior to joining Crain’s in 2020, Jay held roles covering prep sports, local government, and education.