Looking for the latest scoop on the 2012 Swiftsure International Yacht Race? Your Swiftsure Committee is holding an informal information meeting in the West Marine rigging shop in Seattle on Saturday February 4th from 1600 to 1800 hrs. It is located upstairs above the West Marine store at 1275 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle.

We invite you to come by for a chat and to learn all the latest happenings for Swiftsure 2012.  We have lots of new information to share, including the new inshore classic race and solo and double handed divisions.

We also want to hear from you about what we can do better or differently to improve the Swiftsure experience for you
Whether you have raced in Swiftsure before or are looking to enter for the first time we would look forward to seeing you there.

The Swiftsure Steering Committee will be represented by Vern Burkhardt (Chair), Bobbi Campbell, Bruce Campbell, Heather Brazier, and Nigel Martin.

Vern Burkhardt

Chair

In 1997 and 1998, Steve Fossett came to Victoria with Stars and Stripes, the famous catamaran whose sistership defended the America’s Cup in San Diego 9two identical hulls were build and the Stars and Stripes which raced Swiftsure was rigged for windy conditions with soft sails, and her sister ship was rigged with hard sailf for light winds. During the America’s Cup the winds were light so the other Starts and Stripes defended the America’s Cup).

Steve had numerous swimming, flying, ballooning, and sailing records to his name, and wanted to add Swiftsure to the list. They blasted out to the Swiftsure Bank and back in 14 hours 35 minutes and 29 seconds to set the overall course record that still stands.

The goal was to test the boat to help prepare for the eventual Jules Verne challenge in Playstation. Stars and Stripes was pushed harder than she had ever been. The designer Gino Morrelli commented to Nick Banks (RVYC member with local knowledge) on the return leg that “We didn’t have this in mind when we designed this boat”!

On board was a young but already very experienced crew member, Brian Thompson.

Brian Thompson moved on of course and was the only non-French crew member in the recent Banque Populaire  record setting circumnavigation. We on the Swiftsure committee believe that what Brian learned on his trip to the Bank helped him accomplish this amazing feat on the Banque.

Also of note is that Stan Honey was onboard Stars and Stripes when she did Swiftsure in 1998. In addition to his many accomplishments Stan Honey was aboard Groupama 3 when it set the previous around the world record 2010 with an elapsed time of 48 days, 7 hours, 44 minutes and 52 seconds.  Banque Populaire’s elapsed time was 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.

It will be a long time before the Swiftsure Bank Record or the Jules Verne Record are broken but many will try. That’s what it’s all about!!

John Green

Swiftsure Steering Committee

www.brianthompsonsailing.com

Victoria, BC – Attention Sailors, the Notice of Race has been issued for the 69th Swiftsure International Yacht Race which starts Saturday May 26, 2012. Registration can be done online at Swiftsure.org, or the application form can be downloaded, printed and mailed or faxed to the Swiftsure office.

There are two different Notices of Race included within the Race Information tab on the Swiftsure.org website. One NOR applies to the three distance courses: Swiftsure Lightship Classic, Cape Flattery, and Juan de Fuca. The second NOR applies to the Swiftsure Inshore Classic race course, which replaces the 2011 two-day Inshore Regatta.

For the first time Swiftsure is introducing a double-handed division in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic, Cape Flattery, and Juan de Fuca races where at least 5 boats register.

Also for the first time single-handed entries are being accepted for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic and they will be given their own division if there are a sufficient number of entries. The Swiftsure Inshore Classic will be a one-day race that will wrap-up with a party and prize giving at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club complete with free moorage at the club’s docks Saturday night.

The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is the Pacific Northwest’s premiere yacht race which has been drawing racers to Victoria since 1930.  Free moorage is provided to competing yachts at the docks in front of the Empress Hotel in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Festivities will include dock parties on May 24th and 25th.

“We look forward to hosting all racers and their families and friends for the 2012 Swiftsure International Yacht Race,” said Vern Burkhardt, the Chair of Swiftsure. “We listened to racers who sent us their completed questionnaires after the 2011 race so we have made some changes. The double handed division for the three distance courses and the opportunity to compete single handed in the Swiftsure Inshore Classic are two examples. Having the wrap up party for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club was also a great suggestion which we received.”

Vern Burkhardt
Chair of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race

What’s New for Swiftsure 2012?

For those intrepid sailors who like single handed and double handed racing check out the Notice of Race (online) for the revised Swiftsure Inshore Classic and the three long courses (The Swiftsure Lightship Classic, The Cape Flattery Races and the Juan de Fuca Race).

For the first time, a single-handed division will be added to the Inshore Classic if there are enough registrants to create a division.  For the three long courses a double-handed division will be added for each of the races if there are at least 5 boats registered as double-handed for that race.  This is an exciting opportunity to show off your sailing skills.

The Swiftsure Inshore Classic is also taking on a new look.  This year a course will be selected on race day taking into account the winds and tide.  The fun part is that the finish line will be in Cadboro Bay at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.  Sailors will be welcomed to celebrate the end of day racing by enjoying the club’s facilities, including free moorage overnight.

The inner harbor festivities have changed as well.  A dock party will be held in front of the Empress Hotel in the late afternoon on Thursday and Friday.  We listened to those that answered our Swiftsure Survey and found there was a desire to host events that encouraged pre-race opportunities to meet and greet fellow racers.  What a better place than the docks in front of the Empress and at your own boat!

This year the registration tent will be on Ship Point and the skippers meeting and the 2011 Trophy Presentations will be held at a downtown facility within walking distance from the downtown docks.

We look forward to meeting past participants and welcome those who will be experiencing Swiftsure for the first time.  There are enough race venues to appeal to all racers and it is a great gathering for sailors of all stripes.  See you in May 2012!

Swiftsure Steering Committee