On the eve of the 100th Chicago-Mac Race, a record size 439 boat fleet is preparing for the 333 mile classic. J/109 owner Rob Zerban of Kenosha, WI will be one of the favorites to watch. Zerban, aboard his J/109 ZEITGEIST finished 2nd overall in the 2007 Chicago-Mac Race and is on a hot streak so far in 2008. He single-handed ZEITGEIST to a 2nd place class finish in the 287 mile Chicago-Mac Solo Challenge despite not having a working auto-pilot for most of the race. Then in round the buoys action, ZEITGEIST paced the J/109 class on all three days of the 2008 Chicago NOOD Regatta and earned both class and Overall Winner recognition for his team’s efforts.The J/105 and J/120 classes are fielding great turnouts with 26 and 12 boats respectively. Bill Zeiler’s new J/122 SKYE will make her Mac Race debut on the heels of notching recent class victories in the Chicago-Waukegan Race and the Olympic Cup, but the competition is tough with Bill Schanen’s J/145 MAIN STREET and eight other large J sprit speedsters (three J/133’s, four J/130s and a J/125) to contend with. Follow your favorites during the race on Chicago Yacht Club’s event website.
