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Pyewacket breaks monohull record

Pyewacket broke the record held since 1987

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Roy Disney's Pyewacket has broken the monohull record by more than two hours in the world's longest freshwater race.

The record was set in the Chicago Yacht Club's race to Mackinac Island on Monday.

Pyewacket, a Reichel Pugh 75, owned by Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and vice-chairman of the Disney Company, finished in 23 hours 30 minutes and 24 seconds beating the record set in 1987 by Dick Jenning's Andrews 78 Pied Piper.

Less than a month ago, Pyewacket shattered the Newport to Bermuda Race record.

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Pyewacket missed the storms that swept the length of Lake Michigan on Sunday night and Monday with wind speeds as high as 80 mph.

There were 18 retirements out of the 296-strong fleet, many within sight of the finish line. Although the damage was extensive to a few boats, including shredded sails, the capsize of the catamaran Caliente and the dismasting of the 78ft Sassy, there were no serious injuries.

Nicknamed 'The Mac', the 333-mile race takes the yachts from the Chicago city lakefront to a small island of Mackinac in the straits between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

This year's race was the 96th running of the event, which was first held in 1898.