Swiftsure – Always a challenge

Swiftsure 2023 is in the books but not before two competitors set new records for elapsed time, and all experienced the absolute romp (understatement) of the Juan de Fuca Strait where the Four Long Course racing occurs.

For the morning start on May 27, initial predictions of low-20 westerly winds gave way to gale force later in the afternoon. Boats were well prepared – these are known conditions in the Pacific Northwest in spring and summer. Race day dawned dry, calm, and bright in Victoria’s elegant Inner Harbour with 116 boats raring to get going.

The dance away from the docks was a sight in itself – no jostling, just joshing as lines were tossed, race yachts eased away and the parade progressed out of the harbour, mustering off Clover Point. Spectators ashore and on boats were treated to a warm morning with over 100 yachts testing their sails and checking currents along the start line, all with the Olympic Peninsula’s majestic beauty as a backdrop.

A spectacular array of boats graced the six race starts – Swiftsure Lightship Classic 138.2 nm, Hein Bank 118.1 nm, Cape Flattery 101.9 nm. Juan de Fuca 78.7 (Monohulls plus Multihulls), plus the Inshore Classic Racing and Cruising Divisions whose courses were determined on race morning.

The longest was 84-foot stays’l schooner ‘Martha’, while the shortest was 17-foot Cape Code Cat ‘Catlin’. Fast race yachts such as three TP52s took on Hein Bank race. The true stalwarts, racing the namesake Swiftsure Lightship Classic (SLC), were here for Swiftsure’s legendary challenge – and gosh they got it in spades this year.

Winds at the start were variable at about 10 knots. Boats started with tide against them – a flood until early afternoon. The pin end was in an eddy so was the favored end, nearest Clover Point, to spectators’ extreme delight. All races started on time with no On Course Side starts.

SLC leading boats pointed into the armpit north of Race Passage, and variously flew asymmetricals or headsails, finally settling on headsails. Westerlies increased as yachts approached the Race Passage corner, building throughout the day as the Four Long Course boats worked up Juan de Fuca Strait. Then conditions got sporty.

The race yachts were ready, but gear was sorely tested. One boat required rescue assistance; Hamachi was dismasted in Race Passage – several competitors ceased racing, approached Hamachi to provide assistance until the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue – 37 Sooke team arrived along with the Canadian Coast Guard and set a tow bridle to bring Hamachi to safety. Competitors assisting in the rescue support were gladly provided redress.

The first finishers would soon arrive in the Juan de Fuca Multihull Race as Duncan Gladman’s Custom Multihull Dragon finished at 16:47:58, setting a new course record of 7 hours, 37 minutes, 58 seconds. The next three finishers also beat the previous course record of 10 hours, 31 minutes, 45 seconds set by Dragon in 2022. On corrected time, the race winner was Cheekee Monkee, Kim Alfreds’ F-45RC Catamaran.

A few hours later, with only half a mast left, the second record was broken in the Cape Flattery Monohulls race as Bill Weinstein’s RT35 Terramoto finished at 21:27:55, setting a new course record of 12 hours 7 minutes, 55 seconds, beating the previous record set in 2007 of 12:51:13 by Flash, shaving over 43 minutes from the record. Terramoto (Portuguese for earthquake) won Line Honors, First Overall on Corrected Time, and First in Class (Light). Terramoto was dismasted on her way to the finish line; she jury-rigged a mainsail on her remaining stub and still broke the record!

During the same period, Hamachi’s rig broke in heavy seas west of Race Passage and was at risk of fetching up on the shoals. Annapurna came to her immediate aid, giving up their race position. After getting a tow line on Hamachi and taking her through Race Passage, the Canadian Coast Guard cutter took over and Annapurna continued her race.

Through redress, her position was restored and Annapurna took 2nd in her division, and 3rd in the race and in class. Safety training was very much at the fore for all.

Throughout that evening, finishers came in thick and fast. Shortly after midnight, the first SLC boat finished at 12:38:00 – completing the course to Swiftsure Bank and back in a little over 15 hours was Zvi, Alan Lubner’s Reichel-Pugh 55. Zvi (gazelle in old Hebrew) had a fantastic run the entire way and won SLC Line Honors and First Overall on Corrected Time and First in Division.

Inshore Racing divisions had a fine race day, arriving at Cadboro Bay in plenty of time for Awards and barbecue by Swiftsure International Yacht Race host Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Division 1 Racing winner was Hotfoot 27 HayTor, skippered by RVYC Commodore Stephanie Bacon, Division 2 winner was Merganser, and Cruising division winner was Lunita.

This was a magical Swiftsure race year filled with all the wildness the Pacific Northwest is known for.

Final Results:
Four Long Courses: https://www.swiftsure.org/results/swiftsure-2023/
Inshore Classic: https://www.swiftsure.org/results/2023-inshore-results/

Photos: https://www.swiftsure.org/gallery/

Source: Charlotte Gann