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2004 Race to Mackinac Sponsors
The
Corporate sponsors of our Race to Mackinac are helping us provide the
finest in sailing regattas, and are an integral part of so many parts of
the event, including parties, race communications, event mementoes and
souvenirs, and pre race provisioning and crew outfitting. You can learn
more about each of the companies that are part of the event by clicking
on their logo. For a brief look at how they are supporting the Race to
Mackinac, and what they are planning for our 2004 competitors, a brief
write-up is included here.
Our Presenting Sponsor, Lands’ End Business
Outfitters, is back for their 2nd year, and we know our racers are
happy to see them back. Lands’ End is producing all of our
Official Race to Mac Gear. They are providing all skippers with a free
Commodore Jacket, and also providing a number of hats for our crew in the
skipper bags. If you want to see more of the Official Mac Gear, click
here.
Helping us distribute important race information
leading into the event, while racing to the Island, and after we’ve
begun our post race celebrations is Flagship Integration Services.
Communication is a critical part of the race, one we continue to
dedicate significant resources towards. Flagship provides
the pre and post race internet kiosks in Chicago Yacht Club, and in the
Mackinac Island Finishing Tent that our racers and their families can
use to track the fleet, and to monitor important race and weather
updates. These kiosks also can be helpful for those that
have to check their email that one last time before heading out to the
start, or upon arriving on the Island. Flagship also
provides support for our Race Tracking Program, and has helped us
maintain our scoring platform. All this information is critical to
the race, and we are fortunate to have such a knowledgeable partner.
Have your 
friends and family bookmark our website
so they can keep up with the fleet’s progress to Mackinac Island.
We also have the tremendous support of M & R Printing Equipment
to help us with all of the event signage you’ll see at the Club, Navy
Pier during the Parade of Boats, and at Mackinac Island. We
understand the importance of a well-placed sign, and M & R
helps us get it done right.
We
have a number of sponsors supporting our parties, both pre and post the
arrival on Mackinac Island. Mount Gay Rum has been with
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac for many years, and yes they’re 
here in 2004! Look for Mount Gay at all of our social
events, especially the Mount Gay Rum Sailor’s Party on Mackinac
Island. Heineken and Amstel Light Beers, Trinchero Estate
Wines, and Korbel 
Champagne have also been with us for the last couple years, and will be
supporting our parties and in some cases providing awards to our winners
– Thanks, Korbel!
We are extremely pleased to have a new sponsor, and a
familiar sponsor helping us underwrite some of our popular Chicago
parties. National City Bank, and its mutual fund family, Armada
Funds are excited to join the race, and 
are heading up our Warning Gun Party on Thursday, July 22. This
event is designed with our Skippers/Owners in mind, and is a great
opportunity to catch up with fellow skippers and friends while enjoying
the generosity of Chicago Yacht Club and our race sponsors. Most
of you know West Marine, and we’re proud to announce them as
our host of the Friday Open House. The Open House features
lots of live music, and all the proper 
party essentials. Of course this event is open to all of our
skippers and their crews, and is a definite don’t miss event
There
will be a number of sponsor kiosks set up on the Club’s grounds during
“Mac Week” to help you with your boat outfitting and repairs and West
Marine will be running a shuttle to their downtown store for your
convenience. Crowley’s Yacht Yard Onsite Ship's Store will be
able to help you with equipment as well as having the latest in gear
from Henri Lloyd, Durbarry shoes,  Lands’
End, and other sailing mainstays onsite prior to race day. Fairclough
Sailmakers has joined the race in 2004, and will be on site
showcasing their custom canvas boat covers. They have winter, mooring,
and travel versions for any type of boat. Come see for yourself during
Mac Week, or check out their website. 3M is joining the race as a
new sponsor and will have a number of their more 
popular marine products distributed to all the boats through the skipper
bags. Speaking of skipper bags,  Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, is joining us this year, and is
providing those bags and other behind the scenes support for the race.
They’ve been a great partner with some of our other regattas, and
we’re extremely pleased to have them join the Mac Team. We
also have a new sponsor that can help with your pre race meal
provisioning, 
Seafare by Calihan Catering. Make sure you check out their
website for a list of menus available for the race.
Perennial regatta sponsor, Harken, will be
here in Chicago and they’ll have their pedestal grinders on site so
you can settle any outstanding bets, or even that grudge match with your
nearest competitor! The pedestals will be set up beginning
Thursday afternoon, and will be open through Friday night. 
American Airlines is lending their support to this kiosk by
providing some Airline tickets to make the grinding a little more
interesting. The Harken kiosk will not only provide some
good challenges, but will also help the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation
and its mission of supporting youth and disabled sailors and sailing
programs. Look for more information on site during “Mac Week”.
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