2011 Macinac Race

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:07 am

So it was kinda slow at work last night...

I had some time to kill and was watching u-tube vids on the Macinac race that I hadn't seen before. Amazing storm, but I was more amazed at the crews.

With lightning poping all around, they seemed to be nonchalant. I must be a wuss! Maybe it was the race, but I would have dropped sails and waited out the worst of it. Thers shots of guys installing electronics to get up to date weather, but still seem to be surprised at the strength of the system...

I know it was bigger than forecast, but the video shows a nasty squall line visible in the flashes of light that woulda put me in a survival mode! They were shredding sails worth more than my 2 boats.... IMHO, surprised more weren't injured and only 2 souls lost.

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:46 am

Learned years ago how trecherous these Great Lakes can become in short order. Always have had a huge respect for them, but that's the only way to survive them. Many get lulled into a false sense of security because they are just "lakes" after all.

I have a couple buddies that raced it, one was just a few miles ahead of the accident when it happened. Those videos only give you a sense of what happened. Can't even imagine what it was like to actually experience it. I'd still be a bucket of jelly!

Beady · Post by **Beady** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:46 am

Interesting topic especially when we think back to the "gales of November". The lakes can be a scary place.