Chicago Yacht Club's Race to Mackinac Island sets sail as stormy skies loom

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The second half of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Island continued with the racing division setting sail on Saturday from Navy Pier.

With stormy skies looming, the 116th edition of the annual event drew thousands from near and far with sailor safety top of mind.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.

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"Everyone has to carry a set of equipment, everyone has to know how to use that equipment, everyone has to be drilled on that equipment," Race To Mackinac Chair Winn Soldani said. "Some of these crews have been together for 25 years, for 40 years, so you have trust that everyone knows their role and their job."

Nearly 2,500 sailors arrived from 49 states and over a dozen countries, including New Zealand, Australia, China and Guam.

Some have been competing for decades, including Detroit's Tim Prophit.

"Like most races, you get a little taste of every kind of weather," said competitor Tim Prophit. "The strategy is to put the boat in the right place as best you can with the weather you're given. Hopefully, you win."

Sailors, ranging in age from just 14 to 88, raised the sails in the 333-mile race to Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Jamal Alwattar celebrated his 33rd race.

"It's something you look forward to and once we finish the race we sign up for the next one," Alwattar said.

"We're keeping our eyes on the sky, we'll prepare accordingly but we're probably going to get a little wet which is not a big deal," Skip Dieball said.

Dieball is a full-time competitive sailor. He said the sailing community is small and tightly knit, fueling the competitive spirit of this cherished race.

To track the race, click here.