Facebook

Login

Support Sailonline

If you haven't already - join the SAILONLINE YACHT CLUB!

Please also consider making a donation - all amounts are greatly appreciated!

Board » General Discussion » Storm claims two in Chi-Mac race tragedy

Posted by
A2


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2009-10-26 00:39:42
2011-07-20 18:31:50 - Storm claims two in Chi-Mac race tragedy
During the Chicago-to-Mackinac sailboat race horrific conditions early Monday led to the capsizing of WingNuts and the death of its skipper and a crew member near the Fox Islands off Charlevoix.

"The worst of the storm hit just after midnight which made bolts of lightning our only light source,"

Weather reports predicted winds of no more than 30 knots, as the storm built the sailboat's tack line exploded.

"We were knocked down immediately and stayed horizontal from winds of 54 knots for about 15 minutes. Shortly after being knocked down, with no steerage, lightning flashed and another boat, just to weather, without sails was planing right towards us.

Within minutes, more than a dozen boats were in the area trying to rescue the missing crewmembers of WingNuts, and soon after a Coast Guard helicopter.

The two deaths were the first drownings in the Chicago-to-Mackinac race history.
None so blind
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2011-07-21 22:30:43 - Re: Storm claims two in Chi-Mac race tragedy
8mrWho - how very sad...must have been appalling conditions. :-(

The race's tracker system also went down which meant the organisers didn't really know where the boats were. They posted on Facebook and were asking for folks to text in their sightings of other boats. :-(

---------
spelling corrected:

--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2011-07-22 13:48:18 ---
Posted by
zowee


Users avatar

Posts
17
Registered at
2008-02-09 14:52:27
2011-07-22 00:41:02 - Re: Storm claims two in Chi-Mac race tragedy
Hi SOLers. Due partly to my ineptitude, SOL didn't track along with the Mac this year. I was aboard Drumbeat in Section 7. We were about 5 mi SW of the tragedy location. Our instruments measured well over 50kts and the wind came up very quickly - like being hit by a wall. Many other distress calls rang out on the radio, but the calls from Sociable, who rescued 6 crew from WingNuts was the major focus, as other boats in the area stopped to look for the two lost sailors. Needless to say, it was a somber spirit at Mackinac Island after the race, as many knew the sailors or at least the boat from past Macs. R.I.P Mark Morley and Suzanne Bickel.

--- Last Edited by zowee at 2011-07-22 00:42:16 ---
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2011-07-22 13:47:36 - Re: Storm claims two in Chi-Mac race tragedy
{{{{{{{zowee}}}}}} <~~~~ BIG HUG

Very very glad to hear that you stayed safe.. it must have been a very difficult situation for all of you. The stuff of nightmares.

Posted by
captjack1942


Users avatar

Posts
239
Registered at
2008-01-18 03:24:03
2011-07-22 16:55:50 - Re: Storm claims two in Chi-Mac race tragedy
Here's an article and a link to a slide show of the storm: http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x121488038/Springfield-sailor-survives-deadly-Chicago-to-Mackinaw-race

Glad you're ok zowee.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Bar-tailed Godwit - Alaska to New Zealand 2026


Welcome to the autumn return flight of our bar-tailed Godwit, reflecting the bird's annual migratory route. This is the penultimate leg in our migration series. (The concluding leg is coming up simultaneously, 'Skimmer Dragonfly', start on the 11th of November. Not part of the 2026 OCCH). This race, at hand, is the next to last leg of the 2026 Ocean Race Championship. The voyage promises to be not only a test of skill and strategy but an immersive experience in the beauty of the vast Central Pacific Ocean. Join us as we push the boundaries of seafaring prowess on this epic adventure.
Let's fly like a Godwit!
Race #2065
INFOby brainaid.de
GunBoat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ4 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
Race starts: Nov 02nd 11:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Mistli's Birthday BBQ Race 2026


It’s that time of year again – November 1, time for Mistli’s birthday bash and BBQ! It’s the usual tricky 61.5nm through the SLI-infested Stockholm Archipelago to Mistli’s place at Trosa, this year in a slightly slower but seriously Swedish Scampi 26!
Race #2063
INFO by brainaid.de
Scampi 26 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RED - SYC
Race starts: Nov 01st 14:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

ORCV Melbourne to Devonport Race 2026

Welcome to the prestigious Rudder Cup, Australia’s oldest and most iconic yacht race! For over 110 years, this legendary 196nm classic has tested sailors' strategy and endurance across the notorious Bass Strait from Melbourne to Tasmania.

Organized by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, this year’s battle against the unpredictable Southern Ocean features the stylish Dehler 46. Designed by Judel/Vrolijk as a proper looker and built to race, this regatta cruiser is a virtual flyer packed with modular racing upgrades. Can you master her speed and conquer the shifting elements?

Chart your course and race for glory in this historic adventure!
Race #2068
INFO by brainaid.de
Dehler 46 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: TQD - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Oct 30th 03:30 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

PIC Coastal Classic Yacht Race 2026

Kia Ora, SOLers! Welcome back to Auckland for the 2026 PIC Coastal Classic! In partnership with the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, Sailonline is thrilled to bring you this iconic 118nm legendary sprint to Russell.

Expect the unexpected on this tricky course up the North Island's East Coast—from adrenaline-fueled spinnaker rides to nail-biting pre-dawn lulls. This year, we take on the elements in the highly popular Seacart 30. Designed by Marc Lombard, this nimble trimaran features a challenging polar that rewards pure tactical precision.

Chart your course, conquer the coastal currents, and race for ultimate bragging rights! Upon crossing the finish line in scenic Russell, the traditional reward of bacon butties and rum awaits!
Race #2067
INFO by brainaid.de
Seacart 30 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SUPBUD - RED
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
October 28 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Oct 23rd 22:30 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Mad Max by Balloon 2026 - Across the Outback


Mad Max Rockatansky doesn’t get to go in a balloon in any of the Legends of the Wasteland, and the Wasteland is not necessarily the Outback of Australia, but Mel Gibson and film director George Miller indubitably are… of Australia, and ballooning as reconnaissance is a main feature of the Mad Max spin-off video game, so here goes: 1500nm in a balloon from somewhere on the edge of the Outback, Goondiwindi, to cross a finish line at Fitzroy Crossing, somewhere on the edge of the Outback!
Race #1974
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
Race starts: Oct 14th 13:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Arctic Tern - Greenland to Antarctica 2026

Welcome to the fifth leg of our MIG series. Now it's time to race the Arctic Terns, on their migration from Greenland to Antarctica, 8300 NM. This is also part of our monthly Ocean Championship, and as such the first race of OCQ4 2026. This race will be sailed in our Maxi Trimaran. Race #2061
INFO by brainaid.de
Maxi Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230 Ranking:
OCQ4 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
November 4 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Oct 05th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member ms0689
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member brandystrega

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

SYC members have the benefit of access to our mobile/lightweight web client!

The mobile client