Mac Solo Challenge News and Updates

All changes to the Mac Solo Challenges will be posted below, along with the date of the change. It is strongly suggested that this page be bookmarked and referred to often to avoid any last minute surprises - changes will continue to be posted at the appropriate skipper's meetings as the actual Challenge date approaches.

Date	Change
7-5-08	The Super Mac and Back Solo Skippers are all in! While Bill Tucker finished up in Port Huron on Wednesday, the Chicago-bound skippers found all the light air they wanted from Thursday through Saturday. First to cross in Chicago was Arch Van Meter aboard Antares, crossing the line late Friday; Ken Verhaeren aboard Kismet spent an additional night just off of Chicago, limping toward the line in fading breezes. Ken crossed the line Saturday morning at 1017 and was surely a happy, albeit tired skipper as he motored on into his home slip at DuSable Harbor. There will be much more in the next *Solo Challenger* - watch for the issue, coming out as soon as all the stories have been compiled!
7-4-08	Bill Tucker aboard his Beneteau 30, GL³, became the second finisher in history of a Super Mac and Back when he crossed the finish line at Port Huron after a hard beat - congratulations Bill! Meanwhile, the two Chicago-bound Super Mac and Back skippers, Arch Van Meter aboard Antares and Ken Verhaeren aboard Kismet are nearly within site of their destination. Arch is 39 miles out, and Ken is another 26 miles back - after a day of having too much wind in the vicinity of thunderstorms, they are now hoping to have enough to cross the finish line in Chicago on the 4th! Forecast weather for the Chicago area calls for mostly clear skies with ENE winds less than 10 - at times, they may be calm to less than 5, making for great beach and BBQing weather, but not exactly the fast finish they might like.
7-2-08	Two of the remaining three solo skippers have taken at least a temporary break in the action - Arch Van Meter aboard Antares sailed into Northport late last night for some much needed rest (he's back underway now) and Ken Verhaeren aboard Kismet is anchored in the Mackinac Island harbor. Skippers may temporarily withdraw from the Challenge by either anchoring or laying to a dock as long as they don't take anything aboard, or leave anything behind. Twelve days on the water is enough to make anyone crave some rest! The Lake Michigan skippers will be staring at SW winds, rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, before giving way to northerly winds and dry conditions on Thursday. Meanwhile, Bill Tucker on GL³ has rounded the Goderich mark and is approximately 35 miles from the finish in Port Huron. Their progress will be updated later this evening...
7-1-08	Two of the remaining three skippers have passed Mackinac Island for (mercifully) the last time - Bill Tucker on GL³ and Arch Van Meter aboard Antares have less than a Mac Solo Challenge to go. SW winds will make for a beat to the finish, and they will be gusting into the 20's through Wednesday. Ken Verhaeren aboard Kismet is still working his way to Mackinac, as of this update, he's about 35 miles to the east of the Round Island Light.
6-30-08	The first ever finisher of a Super Mac and Back is in - Walt Norris aboard his Hobie 33, Yuk Fu II crossed the finish line at 02:49:49 today. This was a blistering pace for Walt, something that is becoming a bit of the norm for him! The remaining three skippers are still on the course: Bill Tucker on GL³ is SE of Beaver Island on his way to Port Huron, making good speed with northwesterlies. Arch Van Meter aboard Antares is NW of Rogers City with Ken Verhaeren on Kismet approximately 65 miles astern - both are beating towards Mackinac Island. It should be dry for the couple of days. with SW winds filling in starting tomorrow - looks like the beat continues for those heading for Chicago.
6-27-08	And then there were four...Tom Hughes aboard *Split Decision* retired from the Port Huron Super Mac and Back yesterday leaving Walt Norris aboard Yuk Fu II and Bill Tucker aboard *GL³* as the sole participants in the Port Huron Super Mac and Back. Walt is making great progress, having made the turn in Chicago, and is heading back up Lake Michigan. Meanwhile, Arch Van Meter aboard *Antares* and Ken Verhaeren aboard *Kismet* are working their way down Lake Huron towards Goderich in light winds. To continue following their progress, check out the GLSS Mac Challenge Tracker provided by iBoatTrack.
6-26-08	The results of the 2008 Solo Mac Challenges have been posted. Light winds on both courses, combined with a few gear failures, have made the 2008 Challenges a tough time indeed. There are still five competitors on the Lakes; doing the Port Huron Super Mac and Back are Walt Norris on Yuk Fu II, Bill Tucker on GL³, and Tom Hughes on Split Decision. Making their way to Port Huron in the Chicago Super Mac and Back are Arch Van Meter on Antares, and Ken Verhaeren on Kismet. These skippers still have many miles to sail and face multiple challenges if they are to complete their intended voyages. To follow their progress and root them homeward, check out the GLSS Mac Challenge Tracker provided by iBoatTrack.
6-25-08	All the competitors have either finished (and are continuing Super Mac or Super Mac and Back Challenges), or have dropped out of the competition. Journey dropped out late Tuesday, and Zapada has dropped out of the Super Mac (now in Leland). This leaves Yuk Fu II, Finnair, GL³, and Split Decision continuing on to Chicago - Kismet and Antares are continuing to Port Huron. Race results will be posted as soon as they are finalized.
6-24-08	The finishers continue to trickle in on Day Four - from Chicago *Sea Raider* and Renaissance are both enjoying cold beers and warm showers, while Zapada, Finnair and Sola Fide have crossed from Huron. Zapada and Finnair are continuing to Chicago...Early morning speeds of less than 1 knot are being reported by tracking devices on boats in the Manitou Passage as the high settles in over the area. The blog entry from Eric Kerlow on his Tartan 10 says it all - "Yet another restless night. This time due to light winds and an obstruction ahead (shallow areas north of the Manitous) which had to be avoided with frequent tacks. The winds were still light Tuesday morning. Eric was sailing his chute with the "dental floss" sheets, and the sail was still dragging." The breeze is filling back in just a bit as the afternoon wears on - GL³ and Jaclyn have finished on the Port Huron side (GL³ is continuing to Chicago), while Outrageous has finished and Black Pearl is just west of the Bridge heading for a finish. Boatspeeds of 2 - 3 are still being reported SW in the Manitou Passage, so the going remains slow, but at least the progress is steady. More finishers, more dropouts...In the finishing category, from Port Huron we have: Ratso, Miriah, Phoenix, Adrian Van Den Hoven and On Beat.
6-23-08	Not much to report on day two as skippers plodded their way north on both courses. Breezes were steady if not spectacular and even the go-fast machines found it tough or impossible to see double digit speeds...Day three saw the breeze fading faster on the Michigan side, while the Huron course skippers were were able to continue slightly better progress towards the Island. Celerity and Gangbusters dropped out on the Michigan course, while Eye M Electric, Gutsea, Apparent Wind, and Ginger Kay called it quits on the Huron side. Chicago finishers were Gamera and Cheekee Monkee, and over on the Huron course Nice Pair, C Spray and *Yuk Fu II* finished (Yuk Fu II is continuing on to Chicago). The big story will be the winds - they seem to be holding up for the Huron skippers and they've been making 5-7 knots toward the Island. Not so for the Michigan skippers in the Manitou Passage who have seen triple zeros...
6-21-08	Day one featured clear skies for the start, but unstable conditions resulted in numerous squalls for the fleets on both lakes with heavy rain and frequent lightning. Light winds at the start grew into steadier breezes as the day progressed, and the go-fast boats took full advantage. At least one skipper managed to find the black flies - it's a pretty sure bet that he wasn't alone.
6-10-08	Tracking will be available for those skippers who wish to rent a unit from iboat Track for a fee of $175. The fee is in addition to any Challenge fees and all requests for a tracker must be made directly to Blair Arden no later than Wednesday morning, June 11, 2008. A link will be posted shortly to iboat Track where you will be able to view the tracking once the Challenges have started.
6-10-08	The schedule of events for the 2008 Mac Solo has been posted. The mandatory skipper's meeting includes dinner at Columbia Yacht Club (Chicago) or Rum Runnerz Restaurant (Port Huron). There is no charge for the skipper - if you wish to bring a guest(s), the charge is $20 each for the Chicago dinner or $18 each for the Port Huron dinner. Please RSVP your guests via email to Matt Scharl - Chicago or to Blair Arden - Port Huron. Please RSVP as soon as possible to allow Blair and Matt the opportunity to coordinate the logistics. Guests at the door may not be able to be accommodated.
6-2-08	The entrants registered to date have been posted on the web. If you have sent in an entry, and have not received an email confirmation, or you do not see your name among the entrants, please contact the Solo Mac Chair directly.
5-14-08	The results of the recently concluded Solo Challenge Tracking Survey are now posted on the website. The Board would like to thank the many who took part in the survey for their input into future tracking.
5-13-08	The Island Race Committee is now full! Gerylann Arden would like to thank all who took the time to volunteer to work on the Race Committee. While this year's committee is now full, please keep 2009 in mind - we'll need more volunteers next year.
5-12-08	A satellite telephone is no longer required to participate in a Super Mac, or Super Mac and Back. If you are one of those who will be doing a Super Mac, or Super Mac and Back, Matt Scharl will contact you and discuss the communication aspects of the event. If you have any questions, feel free to email Matt Scharl or Blair Arden.
5-9-08	Feel free to download, print, and post a copy of the 2008 Mac Solo Challenge Flyer!
5-8-08	There is a new Solo Mac Challenge Chairman... Due to personal reasons, Bill Dembek has stepped down from the position. Taking his place is Blair Arden, who was the Chair for the previous three Solo Mac Challenges. The Board thanks Bill for his time and effort in making this year's Mac a success, and welcomes Blair back to familiar surroundings. If you have not sent in your Request for Entry yet, the address has changed. Please send them directly to Blair at: Blair Adren 4603 Berkshire St Detroit, MI 48224-3503
5-8-08	The location for the Port Huron Skipper's Meeting has changed. It will no longer be at the PHYC - a new location will be announced shortly.
4-27-08	Automated tracking for the Challenges from IonEarth is being considered for 2008. These units are simple to install, and update positions on the IonEarth website approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. They are great PR for the Society and allow the rest of the world to view the Challenges in real time. While carrying a unit is not mandatory, it is strongly suggested that all skippers rent one for the Challenge. Carrying one of the units does not replace the required call-ins. In order to determine the level on interest in these units, and the willingness to pay an additional amount to utilize them, a brief survey has been placed on the website. For further information, please contact Jim McDonnell.