The 2026 XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix brought our offshore family back to Michigan City, Indiana, and to the shores of Lake Michigan for another year of racing. As always, the teams, the fans, and this community showed up ready to celebrate the sport we love. But this year, Mother Nature had other plans.
Saturday’s weather moved in and turned the course rough. Conditions on Lake Michigan built through the day and never let go, and what started as a challenging racing surface became something more serious. Those same conditions carried straight into Sunday morning. After a long night of watching the forecast and the water, the call was made to cancel Sunday’s racing.
That decision did not come easily, and it did not come from any one person. Race World Offshore race operations worked hand in hand with APBA and UIM officials, local fire and Coast Guard departments, city representatives, and many others who give their time and expertise to keep this event running. Everyone in that room understood what was on the line. When the water tells you it is not safe, you listen. The safety of our race teams, our on-water crews, our first responders, and everyone who makes this race happen will always come before a checkered flag.
The rough water made for a demanding weekend, and several boats went over in the conditions. Every racer was accounted for and safely extracted from their vessels, and safety crews performed the way we count on them to. Thank you to all of the teams, fans, and the local community in Michigan City who came out and stood with us through a difficult weekend, we could not do this without you.
Our attention now turns south. We will be back on the water in Clearwater, Florida, September 25 through 27, 2026, followed by the Key West World Championships November 1 through 8, 2026. We hope to see you there.
