Swiftsure yacht race entrants expected to top 200
This year’s Swiftsure International Yacht Race is expected to draw more than 200 entrants, a number that will fill the Inner Harbour, organizers said Thursday.
Already, 177 entrants have registered and more are coming in every day, Swiftsure chairman Vern Burkhardt told a press briefing on the edge of the Inner Harbour.
“This whole area will be filled with about 200 boats,” Burkhardt predicted, gesturing toward the floating docks.
The Swiftsure race is a weekend event, from May 26 to 30, featuring beer gardens, bands, a pancake breakfast and of, course, the race, recognized as one of the most important long-course yacht races in western North America.
It is actually five races varying in length, course and difficulty. All racers leave Clover Point in starts arranged 10 minutes apart beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 28.
The race begins with a special blessing at 8 a.m. that day by elders from the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
Clover Point is also the best spot for the public to watch the boats with sails filled.
Beginning May 26, people are encouraged to visit the Inner Harbour and mingle with the sailors and check out their crafts.
The longest race, the Swiftsure Lightship Classic, takes racers to Swiftsure Bank, just outside the western entrance to the Juan de Fuca Strait and back. It covers 138.2 nautical miles and boats usually take overnight to complete the race.
The shortest race is the Swiftsure Inshore Classic, which takes racers over to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Cadboro Bay, usually in time for dinner.
To learn more, go online to swiftsure.org.