Highlighting VIRS Vancouver Island Racing Series

Yacht racing on the West Coast of North America encapsulates many races, both local and international.  Of these, Swiftsure International Yacht Race has become known over the decades as the ‘Granddaddy Race of the Pacific Northwest’ but is only one of the prominent races worthy of attention. Check out some other local races noted on Swiftsure’s website under Race Info.

On Vancouver Island, there is the Vancouver Island Racing Series.  Yachts accumulate points for racing in some or all of Patos Island, THRASH Regatta, Thetis Island, Round Saltspring, Swiftsure, Race Around Lasqueti Island, CFSA Summer Solstice, S.I.N. Regatta, Cow Bay Regatta, Maple Bay Regatta, Sidney North Saanich Regatta, and finishing up with Thermopylae Regatta.  There’s also a Wild Card race.  Check out VIRS on Facebook then consider taking in the race series.  The 2014 season starts up with Patos Island Race on March 22-23.

For 2013, VIRS was won by Fraser McMillan and his crew in One Moore Time.

The trophy for the Vancouver Island Racing Series is a handsome painting that is currently hanging in the Chart Room of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.  The VIRS Overall Trophy was donated by Trotac Marine and in each of the first two years of the series the Top Ten competitors Overall received Gill Gear bags featuring the VIRS  logo, again courtesy of Trotac Marine and Gill.

Charlotte Gann

Swiftsure Committee