The 28th Bi-Annual Trans Superior International Yacht Race starts at Gros Cap Light on the southeast end of Whitefish Bay on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The racers will leave the George Kemp Marina in Sault Ste. Marie at 8 a.m. Saturday, make their way through the Soo Locks on their way to Gros Cap Light.
Nearly three dozen sailboats of different sizes and shapes and their crew members will battle a Lake Superior that sometimes can be dangerous.
"This race has a little bit more challenging conditions. The storms are a little bit bigger. Changes in the wind conditions happen a lot faster and are a lot more extreme," said Tighe Case, who arrived in the Soo with his crew a couple days ago on the MC^2.
While it is a very competitive race covering 326 nautical miles from Sault Ste. Marie to Duluth, Minnesota, it's more about the camaraderie.
"Sailing is a sport...a Corinthian sport. It's never anything more about bragging rights...and drinking some beer after the race is done," Case chuckled.
Crew members are spending a lot of time getting their vessels ready for the Saturday start. Checking and double checking supplies and equipment is crucial before Saturday morning's departure to Gros Cap Light.
But that doesn't mean they don't make time to explore Sault Ste. Marie.
Tim Buck and his crew arrived late Wednesday night to the marina on the Narwhal.
Thursday morning, they knew where to go for breakfast.
"We went to Frank's and were over-served food! I heard that was their reputation and it's true," said Buck, who is from Duluth.
Many of these same teams recently raced in the Port Huron to Mackinac Island race (204 nautical miles) or the Chicago to Mackinac Island race (289 nautical miles).
But this particular race across Lake Superior is special because it's longer and more challenging, but it's also the final race of the season for most of them.
You can follow the race LIVE online at this link: https://www.transsuperior.com/home
