WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOAT

from Summer 2021 Blinker

TEAM ROBLE/SHEA UPDATE

GENE MCCARTHY GOING FOR 67 MAC RACES IN

2021, CYC OLD GUARD AND ISLAND GOAT

BY BETSY BARRETT

Gene McCarthy stands out in 2021 as he attempts to complete his 67th Mac, exceeding all other goats. (Don Glasell has sailed 56 Macs.) It will be an absolutely astonishing achievement! What does a stalwart Island Goat look like? In 1953, McCarthy crewed in his first Race to Mackinac. He sailed in the 1955 long Mac, taking a third place in section after running out of food more than a day before the finish. In 1970, hurricane-force winds nearly took McCarthy overboard as he attempted to reduce sail. He was caught in the folds of the sail, until the sail ripped and he was able to grab a lifeline and hang on until the crew pulled him in. He bought his first boat to race the Mac in 1980.

McCarthy has won 10 section prizes and was elected to the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame. He is going for his 67th Mac race this year, more than any other Mac racer. And he is doing it in Gene-style, with his family on board.

Gene says “to me, having family members as part of the crew is part of life. Summertime is sailing time. Sailing time is family time. Family time is spent sailing.”

Do you know the difference between a member of the CYC Old Guard and a member of the Island Goats Sailing Society?

Both have demonstrated their commitment to boating in Chicago. The first is one of the 25 longest members of Chicago Yacht Club and the other has done 25+ Mac races.

THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN ISLAND GOAT

A sailor who has: - Endured over 60 days

Racing the Mac - Raced at least 8,325 miles from

Chicago to Mackinac Island - Survived sailing through 50-100 thunderstorms - Suffered through 250 on and off watch changes - Persisted through at least 25 summers

For more admiration for Island Goat achievement, visit their website at IslandGoats.org