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Replogle, and daughter Kris, will join Skipper Chester Kolascz of Port Sanilac, Kolascz's daughter Sarah and four other crewmembers in sailing a brand new course aboard the Saralysia. The race begins Saturday, July 21 in Port Huron.

The crew will rely on strategy and skill, but say that is only a piece of the puzzle.

"There are always variables," Replogle said. "What effects us more than anything is wind direction and speed."

Race organizers have continued to update the rules since the sailing competition was founded in 1925. When boats started getting bigger in the 1970's, the Cove Island course was established, taking boats farther from shore. However, small boats often struggled to reach the island on time.

In 1992 organizers decided to offer two options: the Cove Island Course and a shorter Shore Course. In 2001 the longer course was altered slightly and renamed the Southampton Course, but two options remained.

This year the race will change again. All boats will sail the same course, regardless of their size. The course is 230 miles, longer than last year's 210 mile Shore Course and shorter than the 256 mile Southhampton Course.

The route is identical to the Shore Course through the Thumb area but varies slightly as the boats head north. It will allow spectators in Port Huron, Lexington, and Port Sanilac to better view the larger boats.

"If you are on the shore (in the Thumb area), you will be able to see the large boats well," Replogle said.

For the sailors aboard the Saralysia, the route will be a change of pace. The large boat competes in the IRC B class and has sailed the Cove Island and Southampton courses in the past.

Chester Kolascz, Skipper of the Saralysia and owner of the Port Sanilac Marina, sees the new route as an asset. It will likely lead to a faster arrival at the island for the larger boats, as much as one to two days earlier depending on the wind, he said. Not only is the course shorter, but following the shore also provides more winds that hit the side of the boat, which may increase speed.

"When it is beside you...you can just sail right up the lake," Replogle said.

Kolascz says many sailors requested a shorter trip so they can return to family and work obligations. The new course also encourages participation because the safety requirements and cost involved are less.

"Like any sport today, participation levels are being challenged by family demands," commented the 16-year race veteran. "One of the factors a lot of sailors also have to wrestle with is the cost."

There is also the matter of bragging rights. Boats are judged according to class, but Kolascz says sailors covet the distinction of being first to the island. However, because the larger boats sailed a longer course, small boats often were the first to arrive.

"There is always bragging rights about who gets to the island first," he said, before adding with a laugh, "One of the things that will be fun if you are in a bigger boat is passing the smaller boats."

Kolascz and crew hope they can navigate the route to a top finish in their class. Of course, it all depends on Mother Nature.

"It is all about trying to guess what the wind is going to do," Kolascz noted.

For more information and to view a map of the course visit www.byc.com.