Special Swiftsure take-aboard rate for pre-orders of 18.9L and 11.3L bottles of Victoria’s finest purified bottled water!

Purchase either size bottle and receive 2 additional fills free from our Admirals Road Ultimate Water Store!

Plus: $1.00 per purchase will go to support the progressive greening of the regatta!

Order by phone: (250)514-6210 or (250)381-2088

18.9L (5gal) $15.00 +tax         11.3L (3gal) $14.00 +tax.

Price includes bottle. No per-customer limit. MasterCard or Visa accepted.

Free delivery if order placed before Tuesday May 22, 2012.

The Swiftsure Steering Committee has issued Amendment #4 to the Notice of Race for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic. 

The area for the race course has been enlarged to ensure that faster boats, such as multihulls, will have a full day of racing on May 26^th.  As stated in the NOR for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic the course will be determined after consideration of the weather prediction and tidal currents, and signaled from the race committee boats at the start line. The finish is unchanged and will be in Cadboro Bay near the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

• Notice of Race Page
• Notice of Race Amendment #4 – Posted 16 Apr 2012

Special Hotel Rates

We now have three hotels which are offering Swiftsure competitors and their family and friends special rates.  Please show your support for these sponsors.

1. Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas Street) is offering its “Tour Group” rate for Swiftsure participants, family and friends for $95.00 or $105.00 + applicable taxes based on availability.  Reservation by phone or email only, these rates will not show on the hotel’s website www.strathconahotel.com/TheHotel.aspx

   Toll free 1-800-663-7476  or  reservations@strathconahotel.com and quote “Swiftsure 2012″ to receive these special rates.

2.  Harbour Towers (345 Quebec Street) is offering special prices plus free parking; access to Club 345 Fitness Centre including indoor pool, hot tub and sauna; complimentary high speed Internet access and use of Business Center; and access to Victoria Sports Lounge.  For residential views Standard Guest Room for $109.00, King Bachelor Suite $125.00, One Bedroom Suite $145.00, and Two Bedroom Suite $185.00.  For ocean views Superior Guest Room for $125.00 and One Bedroom suite for 165.00.  These rates are for single or double occupancy, and do not include applicable taxes. Additional person is $19.00. These group rates are available 3 days before and 3 days after Swiftsure.

   Call 1-800-663-5896 and identify yourself by quoting group name “Swiftsure.”

3. Sandman Inn (2852 Douglas Street) is offering standard rooms (King, Queen, or 2 Doubles) at $89.00, and suite with Kitchenette (King or 2 Doubles plus hide-a-bed) for $109.00 + applicable taxes.

   Call 1-800-726-3626 and identify yourself by quoting Group# 221843.

This year, Victoria’s history with those who sail alone will be revisited through the Swiftsure Inshore Classic.  Following in the footsteps of John Guzzwell, who sailed his 20ft Trekka around the world, and in more recent years twice  competed in the single-handed Trans-Pac from San Francisco to Hawaii.

But what is the attraction of going it alone, having no one to take the helm as you go to relieve yourself, make hot drinks just when your brain is beginning to freeze over, or to talk or joke with when it looks like there will never be a whisper of wind ever again, or to assist when your boat is pinned on her side?  For some the attraction is efficiency; the perfection of timing, sequencing, and the creation of new methods that work with precision and speed.  For others it’s the fact that they are utterly responsible for themselves; if they don’t get it right, there is no one to question or to salvage the wrong – and no one to blame.   Many enjoy the solitude and all revel in the fact that they are not responsible for anyone else.

For the first time, the 3 distance courses; Juan de Fuca, Cape Flattery, Swiftsure Bank will all have double handed divisions.

Lennart Edstrom, skipper of Sjora, a 36ft Sweden Yacht has signed up for the Cape Flattery Race Double handed division.  While Sjora enjoyed a hectic schedule of races with a fabulous crew last year, Lennart’s focus for this season is on keeping it simple.  On his way out to what has become a regular afternoon of single handing, Lennart shares the attraction of short handing; “it’s an incredible feeling to harness the power of a boat by yourself; being empowered by nature”.  Lennart notes that that he enjoys sailing with a crew, but that there is a “freedom of being able to go by yourself at a moment’s notice”. Lennart is excited to be joined by Paul Betts, who will be equally at home at the helm for the Cape Flattery Race.

More information on the short handed divisions in Swiftsure can be found here http://2012.swiftsure.org/race/notice-of-race/ .  The 2012 Swiftsure Race runs May 26-28 and the deadline for entering is fast approaching.

Today the Swiftsure Steering Committee issued Amendments #2 and #3 to the Notice of Race.

Amendment #2 amends Racing rule 52.

• Boats entered as a Double-Handed crew in any of the three long courses are allowed to use autopilot mechanisms.
• Boats entered as a Single-Handed crew in the Swiftsure Inshore Classic are allowed to use autopilot mechanisms.

 Amendment #3 amends NOR #16 pertaining to Insurance.

If you are interested in crewing on a sailboat in Swiftsure register in our crew bank.  Ensure you include information about all of your sailing experience so skippers who are looking at this Crew Bank will be able to determine whether you will meet their needs for crew.

Introduction

Since 1930, one of Swiftsure’s many challenges has to been to communicate up to date race information from the yachts on the water to the on shore public.  In the early years, many frantic duels between boats and strategic shifts in the fleet went unreported until the race was officially over.  Protests aside, actual events of the race were typically verified (or embellished) by race participants and crew.

In 1931, during the second Swiftsure yacht race the first known communication reports were successfully transmitted – from the Swiftsure lightship to the Gonzales Wireless Station.

For many years, dedicated Committee members dreamed of the day when on shore race enthusiasts and the general public would be able to enjoy up to date radio reports of the Swiftsure race

Swiftsure 1952 saw the first use of radio reports to apprise the public of yacht positions and race progress.  It was the result of discussions between Andy Wright and Humphrey Golby. They collaborated with Dr. Ben Nickells, a local ham operator who suggested sending a radio signal from one of the lead yachts (L’Apache) and he would then monitor the band from his home set.

At the time, the L’Apache had the best possible communication equipment of the day.  Because wave lengths weren’t available to yachts, Golby and Wright had to use the common band, popularly known as the “fisherman’s band”, which was extremely crowded.  The noise and racket of fishermen and tugboats made it impossible to get a word in edgewise, let alone report race results.

In 1955, Swiftsure race coverage expanded when Harold Elworthy’s Island Tug and Barge Company generously provided tugboats during the race for the press.  Humphrey Golby delivered regularly scheduled VHF radio reports to a local HAM radio operator who then directly relayed them to CKDA, a local radio station for live broadcast.

In that same year, the former Eaton’s department store display window (at the corner of Douglas and View Street) was set up as “Swiftsure Headquarters” where a large map of the racecourse was installed and the progress of the race was monitored by moving miniature boats along the race course.

1973 marked the year that Swiftsure entered the “age of computers”.  Despite this new technology, results were slow to appear as information was delivered by hand to the University of Victoria and then laboriously key punched.

In 1993, Swiftsure ventured onto the “internet”, with race results electronically tabulated to the point of accurately predicting the winners even before all yachts have crossed the finish line.

Starting in 2004 the Swiftsure Information Centre was established at Ship Point. The Swiftsure Information Centre was comprised of a group of volunteers who made use of VHF listen-only radio, cell phone calls to skippers on the water, and computers for immediate input to report the race progress to the public, via www.swiftsure.org and Shaw Cable TV.  This team of volunteers also interviewed skippers and crew members to write stories about their Swiftsure race experience.

To ensure safety for all participants and provide accurate information for spectators the 2010 Swiftsure Race Committee’s joined forces with Globalstar and West Marine to provide state-of-the-art SPOT 2 units that were carried aboard all long-course yachts to provide race tracking information. From these units, data was collected from the yachts, including position, speed, and course, and downloaded every 10 minutes to the Swiftsure web site: tracker.swiftsure.org/

Through advances in technology, combined with the dedication of the Swiftsure Race Committee, Swiftsure Race Tracking has come a long way in terms of communicating race results in a timely manner, engaging the public more effectively, responding to emergencies more efficiently and ensuring the safety of all race participants.

For Swiftsure 2012, there is a significantly improved version of the 2011 Race Tracker software in terms of functionality, immediate access and operational use. The improved Race Tracker system can now be used for other sports and non-racing events.

The Author would like to acknowledge literary and research contributions from Donna Randall and the authors of “Swiftsure: The First Fifty Years” – Humphrey Golby & Shirley Hewitt.

Many of this year’s Swiftsure racers flexed their physical and mental muscle last weekend in the first of the Triple Crown Races (a best of 3 series consisting of Patos Island, Round Salt Spring and Swiftsure). The Patos Island Race organized by Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club started with clear blue skies, 16 knot winds and brilliant sunshine, which resulted in many early rounding times.  Patches of light wind presented challenges for both long and short course boats as night fell on the return leg.

The Ross 30, Emma, skippered by Olympic sailor Eric Jespersen took first place in the long race, while Roger Aubin’s C&C 24, Annie scooped first in the short race.

Followed by the Round Saltspring Race on May 18^th, culminating with the Swiftsure International, the Triple Crown is awarded to the best placed boat from all three races.

Roger Aubin has won the Triple Crown once before and talks with respect and his usual big heart as he looks forward to this year’s Swiftsure. Roger speaks of Swiftsure volunteers who treat you like a rock star, skippers of boats big and small who are inclusive rather than exclusive, and the challenge of the Juan de Fuca Strait.  “Swiftsure is a game of chance and a ton of skill” he says “All we can do is put ourselves in the best situation to do well and hope for the best. What a race!”

Want to win Swiftsure?  Better Brush Up on the Currents!!

Here are some great aids for planning your winning strategy in this year’s Swiftsure International Yacht Race

Dr. Richard Dewey, of the University of Victoria has prepared a series of tidal current charts which cover every 90 minutes from 0900 May 26th to 1800 May 27^th.

Also included in this link are the Canadian Hydrographic Service’s tidal currents for Race Passage, Juan de Fuca East, Juan de Fuca West/Entrance, Victoria, and Port Renfrew.

Any questions about the current charts can be addressed to Dr Richard Dewey, when he presents a brief summary on tidal currents at the Skipper’s meeting at 13:30 Friday afternoon, May 25, 2012 Club 9ONE9 in the Strathcona Hotel.

Introduction

During the weekend of May 26th hundreds of boats and their sailors will disappear over the horizon as they compete in the 2012 Swiftsure International Yacht Race. In the past, those wishing to watch the boats as they traversed the open ocean and it’s hazards could only do so with their imagination. In recent years this is no longer the case as fans of the Swfitsure have successfully accessed the Race Tracker to watch the races online and the progress of each boat in real time. With 2012, there is a much-improved version of the Race Tracker software and Swiftsure International Yacht Race has become practically a spectator sport.

Expanding Access

The ability of Race Tracker to present live Swiftsure races has allowed the popularity of the race to expand from what might have been an audience restricted to the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the United States. The Race Tracker is very popular; users from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico and even as far as Turkey and China logged on to watch the races. Where once one could only follow the races by listening to a local Victoria radio station for updates, now people from across the world can live out Swiftsure’s races live through Race Tracker.

Nothing But a Team Thing

As an ongoing development project, the Race Tracker could not have been built without the continued focus and dedication of a small team led by Alec Matthews.  Alongside Alec, Ken Kowalsky, Dennis McMillan, Chris Charlson, Kevin Sales and Robert Johnson worked together at opposite ends of the country to bring this important project to successful launches in the past two years.

Combining their expertise in programming, web design, database management and project management Alec and his team bridged the gap in time and space by utilizing Skype, email and the occasional phone call to keep each other on task and on time.  This often meant late night hours for Alec from his home in St. Johns, Newfoundland as he communicated with his team back on the west coast.

 Over the Past Two Years

Their hard work has meant that over the past few years the Race Tracker has undergone a complete re-write of the system, re-designing and building a core system which moves data stored on transponders located on every boat to a database, and then on to Swiftsure’s website for immediate access by the public.

Rebuilding the latest version of the Race Tracker required an approach which asked important questions.  What does it need it do? What functionality is required? What systems requirements are necessary and what should it look like for the public to access and use with confidence?  To each of these questions answers were vetted with racers and operations staff and with the support of the Swiftsure management team.  Once these questions were answered, the development work proceeded.

Functionality that Gives Users Immediate Access

With its beginnings as a simple grid-data system, the new and interactive Swiftsure Race Tracker system is remarkably evolved. In its present form, the Race Tracker is comprised of multiple technologies working together to allow users from all over the world to track the Swfitsure races and participating boats from the comfort of their own homes.

The system begins with a SPOT GPS transponder located on each boat, which communicates its position every 10 minutes to the Globalstar satellite network used by Swiftsure. From here the information is sent to a database server and then onto Swiftsure’s Race Tracker software.  The Race Tracker software then displays the location of the boats in a Google maps-based layout that allows the public to track Swiftsure live. Now, not only can Swfitsure fans watch any and every race but also the Race Tracker allows them to track individual and multiple boats as well as to select favorites that they can track at any time during the race.

 Operational Use

The Race Tracker provides three major benefits: safety, public access, and race management.  Transponders on every boat linked to the Race Tracker software provide an important safety net for sailors out on the water.  In cooperation with the Coast Guard and other authorities, Swiftsure is able to relay information via the Race Tracker when safety issues arise.  Even when a boat retires from a race for non-emergency reasons and is removed from public view on the Swiftsure website, the Race Tracker is still able to track the course of the boat and relay that information to the race authorities.

As a resource to the public the Race Tracker provides, via the Internet, ongoing access to the various Swiftsure races.  Followers worldwide can see the location of every boat, follow their tactical maneuvers as well as receive updated status of the various races.  Online viewers can cheer on their favorite crews as comfortably as from their armchairs in their favourite room at home.

The Race Tracker is also a race management tool.  It provides the Swiftsure Race Officer with information when the boats are approaching various rounding marks and as they near the finish line (an imaginary line across the race course) ensures that the finishing crew can establish preliminary results which are then posted immediately to the Swiftsure website.

Future Development

Other regattas employed the Race Tracker in 2011 including Southern Straits, Patos Island, Van Isle 360, and Northern Century. It will be used again in 2012 for races in the Pacific Northwest. So far Patos Island, Southern Straits, Northern Century, and Round the County races have signed on.  And more are interested in using this system.  Given the cost of operating this system it is only financially feasible if used for a large number of races.

Beyond these races there are other yacht clubs in the Canadian and American west coast which have expressed interest. It is also possible for unique non-racing events to use the system.  A family on a trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands could allow other family and friends to track and monitor their trip.  Outdoors sports such as snowmobile races and geo-caching are already utilizing a similar process. But the Race Tracker system goes one step further than a basic GPS system by allowing an audience to follow the event live. Ultimately, the Race Tracker has the potential for many uses beyond sailing, whether for commercial or for recreational sport.  In the meantime, the focus is on providing audiences across the globe with access to Swiftsure 2012 via the Race Tracker System.

Conclusion

When all the boats are lined up at their starting positions on Saturday, May 26^th the Race Tracker will also be in position.  For online viewers worldwide the website www.swiftsure.org will provide ongoing and immediate feedback on the status of each boat as well as all of the various races.  Once the race has started, log on, go to the Race Tracker, and follow your favorite crew!

Look for the Race Tracker icon on the home page!

Night Runner, which finished 1^st in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic last year, is back to defend her title. This beautiful Perry 42 is the feature boat on the Swiftsure 2012 poster, below.

Swiftsure 2012 will be Skipper Doug Fryer’s 43rd Swiftsure!

You can now re-live Swiftsure 2011.

The Race Tracker enables you to re-play the routes taken by the competitors in the 2011 Swiftsure International Yacht Race. You select the Yachts you want to see race, select the View button, start the race, and enjoy.

Some racers have already used this together with knowledge of what were the currents and winds during the race to try to figure out why the winners won and they did not. The winners are also able to watch and be proud.

Today the Swiftsure Steering Committee has issued Amendment #1 to the Notice of Race.

This amendment modifies point #13.1 by adding that “If a division of less than five boats is established [by special decision of the Race Committee], a prize will be awarded for first place in that division.”

The Chair of the Swiftsure Race, Vern Burkhardt, said this amendment has been made to encourage skippers who are considering entering a single- or double-handed crew. If only one yacht registers to do the Swiftsure Lightship Classic course as a double-handed crew, for example, we would want to let them race this course and be recognized for racing in their division as well as being rated in the overall standings among the yachts going to Swiftsure Bank. The same reasoning applies to all the other Swiftsure courses.

“We have been told by a number of racers that they would like to see double-handed racing for the three distance courses and single-handed for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic. We think this Amendment will encourage interested skippers to register and be able to make plans to be at the start line on May 26th.”

In 1962, the Swiftsure Committee created the Juan de Fuca race for yachts that were too small to comfortably complete the 137 mile Swiftsure Lightship Classic. With only 4 entries at its inception, the Juan de Fuca race grew quickly during the 1970’s and had 36 boats in 2011.

Even at just over half the distance of the big race (79.5 nautical miles), the Juan de Fuca race requires similar boat preparation and crew training. It also allows sailors to compete within sight of the big boats on the long outward beat through Race Passage, then round the mark in Clallam Bay and finish within a reasonable time (often as the bigger boats roar home from Swiftsure Bank).

The race immediately developed its own brand of strategy and tactics and has always been closely contested. For example, deciding when to head across Juan de Fuca strait becomes more critical when there’s less time to make up for an error in judgment. In addition, while the original “family cruiser/motley crew” flavour of the Juan de Fuca race still remains, technological and design advances have brought sport boats and multihulls into the fray with changes in tactics and impressive results. The Juan de Fuca race has evolved into a premiere overnight distance race that features many one-design and boat-to-boat battles. This makes for exciting starts, close finishes at the line and heartbreaking results on correction.

The Juan de Fuca race offers a variety of sailors the chance to enjoy all the festivities and social aspects of race weekend and participate in a sanctioned Swiftsure race with a manageable commitment in time and money. In addition to strengthening ties between clubs and across borders, many competitors look forward to the Juan de Fuca race as an opportunity to renew old friendships and rivalries. This year the Juan de Fuca race will offer singlehanded and double handed categories to recognize those particular challenges.

For more information on the history of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race; including photos, past results, trophies and records visit:
www.swiftsure.org

Looking for the latest scoop on the 2012 Swiftsure International Yacht Race? Your Swiftsure Committee is holding an informal information meeting in the West Marine rigging shop in Seattle on Saturday February 4th from 1600 to 1800 hrs. It is located upstairs above the West Marine store at 1275 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle.

We invite you to come by for a chat and to learn all the latest happenings for Swiftsure 2012.  We have lots of new information to share, including the new inshore classic race and solo and double handed divisions.

We also want to hear from you about what we can do better or differently to improve the Swiftsure experience for you
Whether you have raced in Swiftsure before or are looking to enter for the first time we would look forward to seeing you there.

The Swiftsure Steering Committee will be represented by Vern Burkhardt (Chair), Bobbi Campbell, Bruce Campbell, Heather Brazier, and Nigel Martin.

Vern Burkhardt

Chair

Many sailors involved in Swiftsure were following Banque Populaire as she raced around the world and smashed the existing record by close to three days. What many do not realize is there is a Swiftsure connection to this amazing feat!

In 1997 and 1998, Steve Fossett came to Victoria with Stars and Stripes, the famous catamaran whose sistership defended the America’s Cup in San Diego 9two identical hulls were build and the Stars and Stripes which raced Swiftsure was rigged for windy conditions with soft sails, and her sister ship was rigged with hard sailf for light winds. During the America’s Cup the winds were light so the other Starts and Stripes defended the America’s Cup).

Steve had numerous swimming, flying, ballooning, and sailing records to his name, and wanted to add Swiftsure to the list. They blasted out to the Swiftsure Bank and back in 14 hours 35 minutes and 29 seconds to set the overall course record that still stands.

The goal was to test the boat to help prepare for the eventual Jules Verne challenge in Playstation. Stars and Stripes was pushed harder than she had ever been. The designer Gino Morrelli commented to Nick Banks (RVYC member with local knowledge) on the return leg that “We didn’t have this in mind when we designed this boat”!

On board was a young but already very experienced crew member, Brian Thompson.

Brian Thompson moved on of course and was the only non-French crew member in the recent Banque Populaire  record setting circumnavigation. We on the Swiftsure committee believe that what Brian learned on his trip to the Bank helped him accomplish this amazing feat on the Banque.

Also of note is that Stan Honey was onboard Stars and Stripes when she did Swiftsure in 1998. In addition to his many accomplishments Stan Honey was aboard Groupama 3 when it set the previous around the world record 2010 with an elapsed time of 48 days, 7 hours, 44 minutes and 52 seconds.  Banque Populaire’s elapsed time was 45 days, 13 hours, 42 minutes and 53 seconds.

It will be a long time before the Swiftsure Bank Record or the Jules Verne Record are broken but many will try. That’s what it’s all about!!

John Green

Swiftsure Steering Committee

www.brianthompsonsailing.com

Posted December 12, 2011 by Chair of Swiftsure

Victoria, BC – Attention Sailors, the Notice of Race has been issued for the 69th Swiftsure International Yacht Race which starts Saturday May 26, 2012. Registration can be done online at Swiftsure.org, or the application form can be downloaded, printed and mailed or faxed to the Swiftsure office.

There are two different Notices of Race included within the Race Information tab on the Swiftsure.org website. One NOR applies to the three distance courses: Swiftsure Lightship Classic, Cape Flattery, and Juan de Fuca. The second NOR applies to the Swiftsure Inshore Classic race course, which replaces the 2011 two-day Inshore Regatta.

For the first time Swiftsure is introducing a double-handed division in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic, Cape Flattery, and Juan de Fuca races where at least 5 boats register.

Also for the first time single-handed entries are being accepted for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic and they will be given their own division if there are a sufficient number of entries. The Swiftsure Inshore Classic will be a one-day race that will wrap-up with a party and prize giving at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club complete with free moorage at the club’s docks Saturday night.

The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is the Pacific Northwest’s premiere yacht race which has been drawing racers to Victoria since 1930.  Free moorage is provided to competing yachts at the docks in front of the Empress Hotel in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Festivities will include dock parties on May 24th and 25th.

“We look forward to hosting all racers and their families and friends for the 2012 Swiftsure International Yacht Race,” said Vern Burkhardt, the Chair of Swiftsure. “We listened to racers who sent us their completed questionnaires after the 2011 race so we have made some changes. The double handed division for the three distance courses and the opportunity to compete single handed in the Swiftsure Inshore Classic are two examples. Having the wrap up party for the Swiftsure Inshore Classic at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club was also a great suggestion which we received.”

Vern Burkhardt
Chair of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race

What’s New for Swiftsure 2012?

For those intrepid sailors who like single handed and double handed racing check out the Notice of Race (online) for the revised Swiftsure Inshore Classic and the three long courses (The Swiftsure Lightship Classic, The Cape Flattery Races and the Juan de Fuca Race).

For the first time, a single-handed division will be added to the Inshore Classic if there are enough registrants to create a division.  For the three long courses a double-handed division will be added for each of the races if there are at least 5 boats registered as double-handed for that race.  This is an exciting opportunity to show off your sailing skills.

The Swiftsure Inshore Classic is also taking on a new look.  This year a course will be selected on race day taking into account the winds and tide.  The fun part is that the finish line will be in Cadboro Bay at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.  Sailors will be welcomed to celebrate the end of day racing by enjoying the club’s facilities, including free moorage overnight.

The inner harbor festivities have changed as well.  A dock party will be held in front of the Empress Hotel in the late afternoon on Thursday and Friday.  We listened to those that answered our Swiftsure Survey and found there was a desire to host events that encouraged pre-race opportunities to meet and greet fellow racers.  What a better place than the docks in front of the Empress and at your own boat!

This year the registration tent will be on Ship Point and the skippers meeting and the 2011 Trophy Presentations will be held at a downtown facility within walking distance from the downtown docks.

We look forward to meeting past participants and welcome those who will be experiencing Swiftsure for the first time.  There are enough race venues to appeal to all racers and it is a great gathering for sailors of all stripes.  See you in May 2012!

Swiftsure Steering Committee