Swiftsure Yacht Race
Encyclopedia
The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is the premier long distance sailing race
in the Pacific Northwest
and British Columbia
area. Starting and ending in Victoria, BC, Canada, the Swiftsure is international because the mid-point markers are in U.S. waters. Organized by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the race occurs during the last weekend in May with staggered starts on Saturday morning. The race is most popular with sailors from British Columbia and Washington, but it has drawn boats from as far away as California, Hawaii, New Zealand, and even Russia.
, including the Rosedale Rock (formally "Sookesure") and "Classics" races. Therefore, it offers wide appeal to the experienced amateur sailor who takes pride in his or her boat, big or small. In some years, light winds led to the race being dubbed the "Driftsure;" in other years, like 1971 and 1979, strong winds (up to 35 knots) have led to many boats dropping out or being dismasted.
Yacht racing
Yacht racing is the sport of competitive yachting.While sailing groups organize the most active and popular competitive yachting, other boating events are also held world-wide: speed motorboat racing; competitive canoeing, kayaking, and rowing; model yachting; and navigational contests Yacht racing...
in the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
and British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
area. Starting and ending in Victoria, BC, Canada, the Swiftsure is international because the mid-point markers are in U.S. waters. Organized by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the race occurs during the last weekend in May with staggered starts on Saturday morning. The race is most popular with sailors from British Columbia and Washington, but it has drawn boats from as far away as California, Hawaii, New Zealand, and even Russia.
Race courses
The nature of the course and the notoriously unpredictable winds and currents provide an exacting test of seamanship. Swiftsure consists of nine races over four courses (tabulated below) in the Strait of Juan de FucaStrait of Juan de Fuca
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a large body of water about long that is the Salish Sea outlet to the Pacific Ocean...
, including the Rosedale Rock (formally "Sookesure") and "Classics" races. Therefore, it offers wide appeal to the experienced amateur sailor who takes pride in his or her boat, big or small. In some years, light winds led to the race being dubbed the "Driftsure;" in other years, like 1971 and 1979, strong winds (up to 35 knots) have led to many boats dropping out or being dismasted.
| Race name | Mid-point marker | Total distance (km) | First year run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightship Classic | Swiftsure Bank lightship | 257 | 1930 |
| Juan de Fuca Race | Clallum Bay | 148 | 1962 |
| Cape Flattery Race | Neah Bay | 191 | 1988 |
| Short course | Pedder Bay | 33 | 2004 |