Glenview sisters sail Chicago Mac race

The 114th edition of the Chicago to Mackinac Race begins Friday.

It also is the 100th anniversary of one of the most unusual races in Mac history.

In 1923, my grandfather, John Paul O'Rourke and his brother Jim, won the race in their little Q boat named Intruder, against all odds, through wind, rain and epic waves. Later that year, they officially were disqualified on a technicality.

Some say this was because a powerful few had money on the race and weren't happy with the outcome. I've heard one or two say they actually cheated.

And the theory most believe is that they were South Side Irish Catholics from Jackson Park Yacht Club, a true "intruder" in a race sponsored by Chicago Yacht Club.

Grandpa John was crestfallen, and wrote to a friend, "Looks like we are out of it this year, but then there will be other races, or should I say other honest races."

Although the O'Rourke brothers won plenty of races after that, they never won another Mac. Grandpa John went on to be a respected Commodore of the Jackson Park Yacht Club.

My nieces, Glenview natives Christina O'Rourke and Meghan O'Rourke, have sailed the Mac Race for the past five years on separate boats and will be sailing again this year. It could be a long way off, but they consider themselves in training to take back the Mac Cup in their great-grandfather's name someday.

Fair winds and following seas Christina and Meghan.