73rd edition of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race

June 5, 2016

206 yachts registered for the 73rd Edition Swiftsure International Yacht Race, making it one of the largest fleets in over a decade. The four long courses, with the longest being 138 nautical miles and one short course provide a real challenge for all sizes of yachts and multi-hulls.

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club providied commentary to the large assembly of spectators at Clover Point, these to see the yachts off to a great start in 12 kn of wind and a favourable current.

“Swiftsure was great. We had good winds at the start, though they became light on and off. When there was wind, it wasn’t rough seas, though, so you could really get the boat going,” said Swiftsure chairman Vern Burkhardt. “There weren’t any records set, but the sailors came back with smiles on their faces.”

The Swiftsure Race Tracker software stopped functioning as 20,000 tried to logo on just before the start of the race.

First over the finish line honours went to:

The Swiftsure Lightship Classic, a 138-nautical mile (256 kilometre) course saw Rage out of Portland, skippered by David Raney, was the first boat to finish in the Llightship Classic.

Glory, from Seattle, skippered by John Buchan, was the first to finish the 118-nautical mile Hein Bank course.

Big Broderna, from Anacortes and skippered by Nels Strandberg, was the first multi-hull boat to finish the 101-nautical mile Cape Flattery race, while Mischief skippered by Eric Jespersen of Sidney, having just won the Round Saltspring Race, was the first mono-hull boat to finish that course.

Tippy from the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club was the first to finish the 79-nautical mile Juan de Fuca race.

For more results go to www.swiftsure.org