Five Macomb Township boats will be among the fleet taking part in the 88th Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race this weekend.
The race, which starts Saturday in Port Huron and finishes Monday in Mackinac Island, is hailed as one of the most challenging freshwater boat races in the world and draws some of the most accomplished sailors from across the country.
While countless Macomb Township residents will crew aboard sailboats competing in this year's race, only five boats call Macomb home.
Meet the boats below and track their progress on the Bayview website.
Absolute
- Owners: Donald Hinckfoot and Art Mason
- Model: Peterson 37
- Crew: 10
- Home Marina: North Star Sail Club
- Course: Division I - Cove Island
The Absolute won first place in its class in the 2003 Bayview Mackinac Race. It was one of some two dozen boats that dropped out of the Chicago race last year to help the Coast Guard search for the crew of the capsized sailboat WingNuts.
Boomerang
- Owner: Matthew Schriner
- Crew: 7
- Model: S2 9.1
- Home Marina: Port Huron Yacht Club
- Course: Division II - Shore Course
This is Boomerang's eighth Port Huron to Mackinac race. Boomerang has finished first and second in its class in past Mackinac races
Immisericors
- Owners: Tim and Cathy McGuire
- Model: Hughes 35
- Crew: 8
- Home Marina: Lake Shore S.C./Double Handed S.A
- Course: Division II - Shore Course
Meaning "relentless" in Latin, "im-misery-course" boat has sailed in the Port Huron to Mackinac five other times in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010. She has also sailed the Double Handed Huron Challenge in 2000 and 2005, winning her class in 2005.
Ariel
- Owner: Mark W. Aitken
- Model: Tartan
- Crew: 7
- Home Marina: Edison Boat Club
- Course: Division III - Shore Course Cruising
The Ariel is making her seventh run in the race this year.
Euphoria
- Owner: Joey Baker
- Model: Catalina 38
- Crew: 7
- Home Marina: North Star Sail Club
- Course:Division III - Shore Course Cruising
Art Vanderly
9:30 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012
"Euphoria - USA 30352" is in first place for his division.