The Crew of the Eagle wins this year's Race to Mackinac Island.
It's with special pride we congratulate the crew of the sailboat "Eagle" for their victory in this year's challenging Chicago to Mackinac Island Sailboat race. What an accomplishment on the part of these dedicated mariners and how proud we are that this crew was among the mariners who joined us ahead of the race in the WGN-TV/Tribune Weather Center for our annual weather briefings. This year's briefings took place Thursday and Friday evenings, July 20 and 21.
The crew competed against 300 sailboats and their crews, which underscores the magnitude of the accomplishment. Shawn O'Neill and his father Jerry of the Eagle's crew tell us that they sailed across the finish line at Mackinac Island just four seconds ahead of their closest challenger. The win followed a 43 hour and 333 mile trek the length of Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island. Shawn, Jerry and their dedicated crew were among the mariners who joined us this year—and in years past as well—in the WGN/Tribune Weather Office for our annual Mackinac Race briefings the Thursday and Friday before the 300+ mile July 24, 2006 trek up the lake began. Our visits and briefings with Mackinac racers has been a part of our July here for many years now and always rank among the highlights of each year here in the office. Few watch or understand the weather better than those who take on the Great Lakes—and the mariners who participate in the Mackinac Race rank among this region's most accomplished mariners. Their's is clearly a mission conducted with true passion!
Congratulations to the crew of the Eagle and all who participated in this year's Chicago to Mackinac Race! Look forward to seeing many of you here in the office ahead of next year's race!
--Tom Skilling
The Eagle and its crew cross the finish line on Mackinac Island at 11:23 a.m. Monday, July 24.
PHOTO COURTESY: Ann O'Neill
The Eagle in full sail against Chicago's skyline as viewed from Lake Michigan
PHOTO COURTESY: Lu O'Neill
Here's the happy crew assembled July 24 this year after victory on board the Eagle in Mackinac harbor
PHOTO COURTESY: Ann O'Neill
CREW MEMBERS:
Back row left to right: Bill Zeiler, Boris Bonutti, Shawn O'Neill, Jan Promer, Michael Cook, Doug Warren
Front row left to right: Doug Gifford, Bork Maronn, Jerry O'Neill
