This yearÆs Chicago to Mackinac race featured 300 boats in the big boat and little boat fleets. The race began July 16, 2005. The large boat fleet of 138 boats race for the Chicago to Mackinac trophy. In this fleet, Realt Na Mara skippered by Joe Londrigan, Northstar skippered by Dave Gustman, and Lucky Dubie 2 skippered by Len Siegal all made it into the top 10.
This yearÆs race featured a light air upwind start that gradually turned southerly, pushing the fleet northward. All 5 of the J109Æs in this yearÆs race carried transponders so that family and friends could track their progress up the race course. Full Tilt and Fandango filled out the J109 field. The latter part of the race featured ideal surfing conditions of 25 to 30 knot winds from the south. Lucky Dubie 2 recorded 19 knots on its knotmeter and had steady readings of 16 plus knots. Lucky Dubie 2 wrestled with Realt Na Mara and Northstar near the finish. All 3 of these boats were within hailing distance after 333 miles of competitive racing. A terrific time was had by all. The J109 showed its speed in all conditions.
The Southern Lake Michigan J109 fleet is already planning for a larger fleet for next yearÆs race, which should give the 109 its own start in the prestigious Mac race.
