Sailing Instructions for Swiftsure 2014

The 2014 Sailing Instructions for the Three Long Courses and the Swiftsure Inshore Classic have been issued. They can be found under Race Info. Copies will be given to skippers when they check in at Swiftsure Centre on May 22nd or 23rd.

There are a number of changes to the SIs this year, so be sure to read them. One significant change is that a life raft is no longer required for boats racing in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic. A number of skippers have indicated this is a positive incentive for them to consider going ‘Back to the Bank’.

The Pacific International Yachting Association (PIYA) Safety Equipment Requirements (SER) for monohulls have been adopted for Swiftsure 2014. The Three Long Courses have been designated as ‘Coastal’, and the Swiftsure Inshore Classic as ‘Nearshore+’. These designations will stipulate the safety requirements for your boat. The Notices of Race and their amendments have modified some of the Safety Equipment Requirements so skippers are advised to be sure to carefully read the SIs (which include all the changes to the Rules which were made in the NORs) and note the SER modifications for their race.  For multihulls, Safety Equipment Requirements have been established and they can be found on the Swiftsure website under Notices of Race.

The number of boats which have registered so far this year is 15% higher than the same time last year so things are looking positive for a great race.

We are looking forward to the arrival of racers in Victoria in just a few weeks from now.  The countdown is on.

Swiftsure – Always a Challenge

Vern  Burkhardt
Chair