Did you know Swiftsure International Yacht Race is one of 3 qualifying races for the 2014 Vic Maui Yacht Race held in July and starting from Victoria’s waterfront? The 3 qualifying races, in order of dates: Southern Straits, Oregon Offshore and Swiftsure.

Vic-Maui Qualifying Races are:

* Southern Straits race (WVYC) – April 18, 2014: http://www.southernstraits.ca/

* Oregon Offshore race (CYC Portland) – May 8, 2014: http://www.oregonoffshore.org/

* Swiftsure International Yacht Race (RVicYC) – May 24, 2014: http://www.swiftsure.org

Vic Maui 2014

The Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race is hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Lahaina Yacht Club. It was first contested in 1965, and has been sailed every second year since 1968. Vic-Maui starts in July off Victoria, British Columbia and finishes near Lahaina, Maui, a distance of approximately 2308 nautical miles.

Vic-Maui challenges navigators to demonstrate their weather routing and navigational skills. Success depends on the navigator’s skill in predicting where the Pacific High pressure zone and trade winds will be, nearly a week into the future.

 

The adventure includes sailing around the Pacific High and surfing downwind in the trades. The days pass quickly with the fleet surrounded by dolphins and albatross, spectacular sunrises, sunsets and brilliant starlit nights.

 

Teamwork gets the boats to the finish line near Lahaina, where each arriving boat is greeted with an outstanding Hawaiian welcoming party. Family and friends meet the racers to celebrate the accomplishment with hugs, leis and mai tais. Many crew stay to spend more time enjoying Maui with their families before heading home.

 

Preliminary 2014 start dates have been set. Pre-start festivities in Victoria will commence on Canada Day, July 1st. The first group of boats will start on July 3rd, and the second group of boats will start on July 5th (these dates are preliminary and are subject to change).

 

Visit www.vicmaui.org for Challenge – Adventure – Teamwork!

Charlotte Gann

Swiftsure Committee