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Chris Froeter

Monday, July 23, 2012

About Town

Lake Michigan Is Not For the Faint of Heart

As her husband and son prepare to sail in one of the longest freshwater sailing races in the world, our columnist comes face to face with the power and potential danger of the lake

Evanston beachgoers are all too aware that Lake Michigan is one fierce body of water. Riptides close the beaches, weather systems change in an instant, and conditions prompt many to compare Lake Michigan to an ocean. In fact, one young man recently made a trip from Hawaii to windsurf 56 miles across the lake while members of his chase crew succumbed to seasickness. Lake Michigan is not for the faint of heart. A week or so ago, I sat at the Dempster Street Sailing Beach, watching my oldest son and his friends enjoy a perfect summer day out on the water. The sun was hot and the breeze was strong...perfect conditions for a bunch of teenagers to enjoy some kayaking and sailing. However, when the boys took their vessels beyond the point at …

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

About Town

My Husband And Son Survived The 2011 Race To Mackinac

Four Evanstonians returned, forever changed, from the race that claimed the lives of two experienced sailors.

My husband and 13-year-old son sailed in the 2011 Race to Mackinac Island.  It was their first Mac race, a 333-mile sailboat race from Chicago to Mackinac Island in Michigan.   Two other Evanstonians, Sean Jolie and Chris Froeter, were among the 8-man crew aboard Chief, a 33.5 foot Beneteau 10R. During this year’s race, two experienced sailors died during a violent storm with wind gusts up to 100 knots and waves of 4-6 feet.  The deaths were the first in the race's 103-year history. News of a capsized boat, six rescued crew members, missing sailors… it was upsetting and surreal. While I waited on Mackinac Island Monday for any news about Chief's whereabouts (the race tracking system had crashed), word came in that two bodies had been …

John Fervoy

1:23 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011

Congratulations to the captain and crew of the Chief and to first mate, Christine!   more ›

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