They say good things come to those who wait. For sailing enthusiasts both on the island and mainland alike, that time of patient anticipation is about to come to an end. The
Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race returns this year for its ninth running and promises to be an event of epic proportion that no sailing buff can afford to miss. Navigating Vancouver Island’s beautiful, rough and untamed geography, this race is both a serious challenge to even the most seasoned of skipper and an adventure-seeker’s delight.
The Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race is a biennial competition running every year on the odd year, with the natural, rugged and imposing beauty of Vancouver Island serving as the perfect backdrop. Stretching 580 nautical miles to be sailed in 10 legs, this point-to-point race traverses all around Vancouver Island’s beautiful, natural harbours, and provides inshore, offshore and overnight sailing through some of the most breathtaking water along the coast. Don’t let the beauty fool you though; the waters surrounding and running through Vancouver Island are some of the most challenging to navigate in the world. Changing current, rough waters and high force winds are only some of the challenges each sailor must face along the course of this race.
This year’s running of the Van Isle 360 race will commence on June 8th, with guns firing at 10:30am sharp. The race both begins and ultimately finishes in
Nanaimo’s harbour, with each boat starting together on the same line and at the same time. Fleets then proceed North around the Island with stops at French Creek, Comox, Campbell River, Hardwicke Island, Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, Ucluelet and Victoria. The timing for the entire event is determined by the
force of the currents that run through
Seymour Narrows, just north of Campbell River. Because this is a point-to-point race, aside from the start and finish lines, there are no particular routes participants are required to follow. The only rule is: keep the island to port and reach the next stop in the fastest way possible.
Some of the best sailors on the West Coast will come out to show off their seafaring legs in this race, and each host city along the route will be running special events to welcome the fleets as they reach their destinations. An event meant for spectators, all stops along the routes are accessible by road, allowing for friends and family to take part in the action, even on land.
With
BEST WESTERN locations located all across Vancouver Island, no matter where on this exciting journey you find yourself, we’ve got accommodations to suit your needs. Whether you’re following a fleet from point to point, or simply resting in one spot along the way, our comfortable, affordable rooms provide the best Vancouver Island hospitality there is to offer.
Plan your journey with us today.
