Notice of Race (NOR) is posted on

67th Swiftsure International Yacht Race May 29-30

the web site. Swiftsure BLOG is part of the website where racers and other enthusiasts can submit and respond to postings, and generate discussion about race-related and racing related issues. Regular registration closes on

May 9; late registration closes on May 16; check Section 8 of NOR at swiftsure.org for details. Swiftsure, West Marine, and

Globalstar (SPOT) have established a partnership to provide tracking services for this year’s race. Check out www. swiftsure.org for further details as they unfold. The Royal Victoria Yacht Club

(RVYC) and Swiftsure are getting ready to secure the Clean Regattas Bronze Level Designation from Sailors for the Sea (see www.sailorsforthesea.org). We’ve signed a pledge to help protect our waters, and all race skippers will be asked to sign the boat/crew pledge sheet upon signing in. The focus is on recycling all waste from each boat, proper

The Dead Man's Island 360

disposal of black water, having spill kits on board in case of spills, and using non-toxic cleaning products. Plastics, Styrofoam, and cigarette butts are amongst the worst waterway pollutants, along with petroleum/petrochemical products. More information will be available at our “green” booth. Please help Swiftsure protect our local waters by participating. To get you started thinking green, check out 2009 Guide to Green Boating at www.georgiastrait.org/files/ GUIDE2009ReaderSpread.pdf. Blow Your Own Horn and win big

prizes! Once you register for Swiftsure 2010, send us a short story (500 word maximum) or video clip (maximum 3 minutes) as an attachment via email, with the subject line Blow Your Own Horn, to swiftsure.info@rvyc.bc.ca telling us something interesting about YOU – your boat, your crew, the number of times you’ve entered the race, maybe it’s your first time, you celebrate a special

occasion here each year, you met a good friend or maybe your sweetheart here, etc.; you can win ~ 1st Prize: One deluxe one bedroom suite and dinner for two; 2nd Prize: Whale Watching trip for 4; 3rd Prize: One HX280 VHF Radio Contest closes at midnight

May 7. By entering, you agree to have your submission (if chosen) used for promoting the race, through our media sponsors and web site! As usual, live music entertainment

is planned for the Bimini at Ship Point, from where the Swiftsure Information Centre will also operate, to round out the race weekend for racers, friends and family members, race enthusiasts, and the general public; look for expanded food offerings this year. The 67th Swiftsure will commemo-

rate the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy and celebrate their long standing support of the race For more information contact

Swiftsure Office (250) 592-9098 or swiftsure.info@rvyc.bc.ca

certainly lived up to expectations this year. The trailing edge of a strong low pressure system gave us some really knarly weather on Saturday. The day started off with a 20 knot SW wind that made it difficult for boats of all types and sizes to get on the water. The race committee boat was not sure if they were going to be able to get through the Tacoma Narrows because it was so rough, but Skip and Jan Anderson pulled through and came bounding over the swells just before things got underway. The conditions remained challenging out on the course. A strong ebb tide opposed the 20 knot southwesterly and created a bunch of short steep chop that sailors had to fight through on the upwind leg. Eight Lasers braved the cold and blustery conditions this year and a couple boats opted not to go out after a 28' E Scow capsized in front of the start area prior to racing. Each passing squall would bring 20+ knot puffs and rain, while the temperatures hovered in the upper 30's.

48° NORTH, MAY 2010 PAGE 58

Dead Man’s Island 360

The fleet split after the start, but the

left side of the course paid off. On that side there was less chop and a big left shift came into play as you approached Raft Island. Some of the boats who stayed right and in the bigger breeze had a long brutal beat back to the left side of the course. I reached Dead Man's Island in about an hour and twenty minutes. My legs were dead after hiking that long. It's always deceptive just how far away that island actually is. It looks like you're

one or two tacks away, and then five tacks later you realize you still have quite a ways to go. The downwind ride was well worth the upwind beating. It took under 40 minutes to make the return trip. Thirty minutes of planing and carving down big swells is the reward everyone got on the leeward leg. The first boat finished in exactly two hours, and the last boat followed just 25 minutes later. Since there was no reach mark in Glen Cove this year the distance around the course was just a hair over 10 miles, with a true sailing distance accounting for tacking angles of about 13 miles. I think all the sailors had a blast. A

big thanks go out to Jan and Skip who drove around in the RC boat, and also to Ric, Ben, and Duncan who manned the safety boat. Thanks to Dayle, Terri, and Vicki for doing the food, and Annette and the other parents who stuck around on shore recording times and retrieving dollies in the most adverse conditions Henderson Bay could throw at us.

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