A veil of sails will race through waters off the south Island Wednesday (June 17) as the Van Isle 360 racers make their way ‘round the Island toward Oak Bay.
The 10th Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race, held every second year, started June 6 in Nanaimo Harbour with 51 vessels setting sail up the coast.
Leg 8 of the race to circumnavigate Vancouver Island starts June 17 with the finish line at Clover Point and racers overnighting at Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in Western Canada. Situated on the protected waters of Cadboro Bay, RVYC will welcome the Van Isle 360 fleet for the first time in the race’s history.
Boats will be moored both at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and the Inner Harbour.
RVYC will also play host to the inaugural Gulf Island Nanaimo race, hosting a dinner to bring together for the first time, skippers and crews for both races, a blending of the some of the best sailors and fastest sailboats in the Pacific Northwest. GIN will be part of the Vancouver Island Racing Series.
Leg 9, the 60.40 nautical mile race to the finish in Nanaimo, kicks off at noon, June 18 at Clover Point. GIN starts 10 minutes later.
Visit vanisle360.com to follow the race and view results online.