Glenn VanOtteren and his son, Nathan, will race aboard Exit Strategy, a J/105 boat owned by John Woods and John Stamos of Northport, along with other crew members during the upcoming Chicago Yacht Club to Mackinac annual race.
Glenn has raced the Chicago Mac about five times before, but it’s been 20 years since his last one.
“It’s just a great race — the fact that it’s so many boats, it’s a long race, beautiful course, sailing the whole length of Lake Michigan,” Glenn VanOtteren said. “I’m looking forward to getting on a boat again, and for the first time, I’m going to race it with my son.”
For Nathan, it’s a jump up from the short races he’s used to.
“I’ve been doing these day races where they’re just seven miles, but the challenge of over 300 miles of racing along the beautiful coast of Lake Michigan, it’s just an exciting thing,” Nathan said. “It’s going to be a fun experience for us too, and I’m just really excited for the whole weekend.”
It’s more than a competition for the father son duo, the race is a chance to spend time with his father in a setting Glenn loves.
“It’s special for him that he gets to do it, and then it’s also special for me since it’s my first time and he’s going back to do it again,” Nathan said. “That’s what I’m probably most looking forward to just quality time with my dad that is pretty unique for both of us, doing something we both love.”
The 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is the largest annual offshore race in the world.
The race covers over 300 nautical miles from Chicago to Mackinac Island, a tradition dating back to 1898, when it began with just five boats. This year’s racing division starts Saturday, July 11, at 11 a.m., with boats finishing near the Mackinac Bridge. Last year’s race drew 285 boats; this year’s edition will require all entries to carry AIS transponders for the first time, compared to half in previous races. Fans can follow the fleet in real time through the race’s online tracker at cycracetomackinac. com
Glenn said the goal for the race isn’t to win, but to sail well and learn.
“We’re just going to try to sail our best race, anticipate the weather, make tactical decisions, try to sail the boat well and have good boat handling,” he said. “We’re not going to win it, but we’re going to just try to do our best and have fun and be safe at the same time.”
Weekly series continues in Northport Bay Glenn, who’s sailed with the Northport Bay Yacht Club for over a dozen years, said the club’s summer series typically draws 10 to 12 boats of varying sizes and skill levels, with longer races on Saturdays and a shorter race every Tuesday night. This year’s 11-race series began the week before the Fourth of July, with points tracked toward a season championship.
Nathan sailed competitively in high school and grew up through the Northport Youth Sailing School (NYSS), first as a student and later as an instructor. He and his family now race their own boat, a J/92, in the Saturday series.
“There’s a whole bunch of fun, family and friends just sailing on that boat,” Nathan said. “We always try to do our best, but that’s not my whole purpose — it’s more important to me, just the time spent with my family and friends on that boat. It’s a closely knit group of racers, everyone knows everyone, so it’s a whole bunch of fun out there on the water.”
The club also pairs experienced sailors with instructors from the NYSS, giving young sailors big-boat experience. Nathan and two siblings graduated from instructing after moving on to college.
Glenn, a father of two daughters, Ava and Natalie added that women’s participation in the sport has grown.
“There’s more women than ever before, and it’s really great to see, it’s good for the sport,” he said.
