CHICAGO (AP) — Thousands of sailors are getting ready for this weekend's Race to Mackinac (MAK'-ih-naw), a 333-mile sailboat race across Lake Michigan.
The Chicago-to-Mackinac Island, Mich. race begins Saturday, although some boats in a "cruising division" set sail Friday.
In its 105th year, the competition is the oldest annual freshwater distance race in the world. This year, 350 boats are set to participate in the around-the-clock challenge.
Most boats finish in 40 to 60 hours, but the record was set in 2002 when a team finished in 23 hours and 30 minutes.
In 2011, the race was marred by the deaths of two crew members when their Kiwi 35-foot sport boat capsized during a storm.
(photo courtsey of mlive.com)
