September 2024

Dear Fellow Goats,

        The 2024 Mac race is in the books.   It was a Record Breaking year when the fastest time was shattered by Sanford Burris, William and Ward Kinney’s Maverick Team.   This years’ race will be etched in Mac Race history as the new race record holder for the fastest Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.   And, most of the fleet was in by noon on Monday, so there was plenty of time to socialize on the Island.

       Master Mariners:
Congratulations to the latest Master Mariners, Goats participating in their 50th
Chicago to Mackinac Race:
Richard Stearns
Ken Johnson

       The Fastest Goats to the Island this year:
Mackinac Cup Division Cup:
Brian Kaczor, Michael Kaczor, and Nancy Garrity on  Erica
Mackinac Trophy Division:
Robert Hughes on  Heartbreaker
Cruising Division:
Scott Vander Linde on  Roxy

       Boat Load of Goats:
Thank you to those who entered the Boat Load of Goats contest.  
A hearty congratulations to 2024 BLOG winners.
Total Mac Years:
David Gustman on Northstar with Steve Knoop, Leslie Washburn and Robert Matthews
Average Mac Years:
Bill Bartz on Ranger with George Christman, Tim Glocker and John Mykleby

       Mac Parties:
The Pre-Mac Cocktail Party, hosted at Columbia Yacht Club, was a great event with Columbia doing their usual great job with the food and drinks. The Party at the Island House was well attended;  We checked in 169 members, 95 guests and 24 applicants for a total 288 participants, which was a 20% increase over last year’s Porch Party!  Thanks to IGSS Secretary, Mary Corkell, the check in line was quick this year.

       Sponsors:
A Big Thanks to all of our sponsors that provided the Raffle Items this year:
Peroni:  Click Here for A Peroni & More!
               (They have been Sponsoring our Caps for several years)
Mount Gay Rum:  Click Here for Mount Gay Rum!
Columbia Yacht Club:  Click Here for Columbia Yacht Club   Phone 312-938-3625
Chicago Yacht Club:  Click Here for The Chicago Yacht Club   Phone 312-861-7777
Team One Newport:  Click Here for Team 1's Goat Store
ACR Electronics:  Click Here for ARC Electronics
North Sails:  Click Here for North Sails Chicago   Phone 773-489-1308
Quatum Sails:  Click Here for Quantum Sails Chicago   Phone 312-225-0801
Evolution Sailmakers:  Click Here for Evolution Sails   Phone 847-507-1179
Crowley’s Yacht Yard:  Click Here for Crowley's Yacht Yard   Phone 773-221-9990
Please patronize our sponsors and let them know how much we appreciate their sponsorship.
Click Here to Visit Our Sponsor's Page - Or Click the Navigation Link (Upper Left)

       Merchandise:
IGSS Merchandise sales were strong at both the pre-race Cocktail Party and on the Island, a big thank you to Jerry Thomas and Mitch Padnos for handling the Merchandise.   As a reminder, Click Here to order IGSS logo items directly from TeamOne

       Pictures:
I saw a lot of pictures being taken at the Pre-Mac Cocktail Party and the Island Porch Party.  The way we get the pictures for the website and the Picture Shows that our Webmaster puts together is from the pictures submitted by people attending the functions.  If you have pictures of Goats on the Race or at the Parties, especially Pictures Showing our Sponsors’ Products please send them to: Photos@IslandGoats.Org

       Status of the Herd:
The herd is strong with 412 members in good standing.  This is the first time we have exceeded 400 active members.

       Mac Race Reports:
We have received only 69 Mac race report forms.  This is the only way to get credit for your race, so if you have not already done so:  Please Click Here for the 2024 Mac Report Form.

       Lastly and most importantly Please Save the Date:
IGSS Holiday Cocktail Party and Optional Dinner on SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, 2024. Details and invitations will be sent out closer to the date, but please put them on your calendars

       See you on the water… or at the bar,

Paul Murray
Commodore IGSS