Sailing for a Cause:
Raising Awareness for Prostate Cancer
The Mackinac Race has been a defining part of my life. I first sailed it in 1970 alongside my father—a world champion and Olympic medalist—and Gary Comer, who later founded Lands’ End. We raced aboard Inferno, owned by Chicago builder Jim McHugh. That year became one of the most legendary—and toughest—in Mackinac history. It was the race where Ted Turner famously vowed to beat everyone on the “small pond,” only to later swear he would never return because of how rough it was.
But I did return.
Over the years, I’ve now completed 51 Mackinac Races. Some were driven by business, but many were fueled by my deep love of sailing and the thrill of competition. I’ve had the privilege of racing aboard remarkable boats, including Pied Piper, a Santa Cruz 70, during record-breaking races, and I’ve been fortunate to win overall honors on several occasions.
What makes this race especially unique is that it can be followed in real time. Supporters can track the boats online, watching every move as it happens. Friends and family often stay up late into the night, following along and cheering from afar. When I’m within cell range, I share live updates to give people a true sense of what’s happening out on the water.
Racing double-handed is one of the toughest ways to compete—and that’s exactly why I do it. It’s a powerful reminder that a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life, but a challenge to face head-on with strength and determination.
But this effort is about more than racing.
This journey is dedicated to raising awareness for prostate cancer. Our goal is simple but vital: to ensure that no man or boy has to suffer from this disease—or, if they do, that it is caught early and treated before it impacts their lives.
Your support helps bring visibility, funding and hope to this cause. Together, we can make a difference.