Marlow Ropes is pleased to announce that the UK & US based cordage manufacturer is the Official Rope Supplier for the 2018 edition of Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac™ (CYCRTM), presented by Wintrust. Kicking off on July 20 and 21, 2018, 306 cruising and racing boats will begin the 110^thedition of America’s Offshore Challenge™ against the magnificent Chicago skyline, and finish 333 statute miles (289nm) at historic Mackinac Island.

“The Mac Race is truly the embodiment of how Marlow Ropes views the sailing culture on the Great Lakes,” said Sam Vineyard, Marlow’s US Yachting Sales Manager. “It’s diverse, highly competitive, and steeped in tradition, and like the Hobart, Fastnet, and Bermuda Race, the Mac goes on the short list of the world’s great races that are permanently intertwined with the culture of their geography. We are thrilled to be a part of it.”

CYCRTM Chairman Sarah Renz said Marlow is a perfect fit for ‘America’s Offshore Challenge’ and a great addition to CYCRTM.  “The Mac Race and Marlow Ropes share more than just a love for the water and wind – they share a rich maritime history as well,” said Renz. “Around the time the first boats were crossing the finish line in Mackinac in 1898, the founders of Marlow were creating some of the highest performance maritime ropes in the world.”

Much of Marlow’s strength comes from experience gained in rigging boats for more than a century, including partnerships with some of the world’s most competitive teams and sailing nations. Collaborating with leading Olympic teams like the US Sailing Team, British Sailing Teams as well as Ineos Team GB and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race leads to the development of innovative products like D2 Racing, a high performance Dyneema fiber upgrade that’s accessible to every type of sailor from top racers to ‘everyman’ cruiser racers.

Marlow Ropes are part of the custom racing equipment aboard many racing boats in the Mac fleet, including outright record holder Il Mostro and multiple CYCRTM winner Windquest. 

For advice on upgrading and getting the most from your Marlow lines, visit your local CYCRTM-based stockist or riggers at Chicago Yacht Rigging, Chicago Marine Rigging, Datum Marine, or Crowley’s Yacht Yard. 

About the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac^(R): “America’s Offshore Challenge^TM”

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac^(R) presented by Wintrust is one of the world’s largest annual offshore races, drawing top-notch sailing talent from around America and the world.  Known as ‘The Mac’ to everyone in the region, the ultimate test of Great Lakes navigation starts each July just off Chicago’s Navy Pier. Passing through some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the world on the 333-statute mile (289nm) race route, the fleet faces the storms, reefs,calms and competition that truly make it “America’s Offshore Challenge.”

From Friday’s Cruising and Saturday’s Racing starting cannons to the finish line just on the other side of the iconic Mackinac Bridge, fans can follow every racer via the liveRace Tracker, while keeping tabs on their favorites on Facebook, Twitter andInstagram. Learn more at cycracetomackinac.com.