Swiftsure Yacht Race

The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is a long distance sailing race in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia area. Races start and end in Victoria, BC, Canada. Organized by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the race occurs during the Memorial Day weekend in May with staggered starts on Saturday morning. The race is most popular with sailors from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon but it has drawn boats from as far away as California, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Russia.

Race courses

The nature of the course and the notoriously unpredictable winds and currents provide an exacting test of seamanship. Swiftsure consists of races over four courses (tabulated below) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, including the Swiftsure Inshore Classic (formerly "Sookesure" then "Rosedale Rock") and "Classics" races. Therefore, it offers wide appeal to the professional and experienced amateur sailor who takes pride in his or her boat, big or small. In some years, light winds led to the race being dubbed the "Driftsure;" in other years, such as 1971, 1979, and 2012, strong winds (35 knots or more) have led to boats dropping out or even being dismasted.

Race name	Midpoint marker	Total distance (km)	First year run
Swiftsure Lightship Classic	Swiftsure Bank	256	1930
Juan de Fuca Race	Clallam Bay	146	1962
Cape Flattery Race	Neah Bay	189	1988
Swiftsure Inshore Classic	typically Pedder Bay	varies each year	2004
Hein Bank Race (not raced since 2023)	Neah Bay to ODAS buoy 46088	219	2015

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History

The first Swiftsure Lightship Classic Race took place in 1930. Six vessels began in Cadboro Bay, raced out the Strait of Juan de Fuca to its mouth, rounded the lightship on Swiftsure Bank, and returned to Victoria. From 1948-1950, the race began in Port Townsend, WA, and ended in Victoria. Beginning in 1951, the current long courses have remained; yachts start in Victoria, race to their rounding mark in the United States, finishing back in Victoria.

See also

• Vic-Maui Yacht Race