Swiftsure International Yacht Race

The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is the premier long distance sailing race in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia area. Starting and ending in Victoria, BC, Canada, the Swiftsure is international because the mid-point markers are in U.S. waters.

The Race started in 1930, and was named after the turning point of the inaugural race, the USA Lightship # 93 "The Swiftsure" but in these waters yacht racing started as ealy as the 1870's.

Organized by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the race occurs during the last weekend in May with staggered starts on Saturday morning. The race is most popular with sailors from British Columbia and Washington, but it has drawn boats from as far away as California, Hawaii, New Zealand, and even Russia.

Swiftsure 2011 runs from Wednesday, May 25th through till Sunday, May 29th. On Wednesday the boats will start arriving in Victoria’ s Inner Harbour and the tents will go up on Ship Point. Thursday and Friday the tents will be filled with sailors checking in for their races.

There will be live music and merchandise on site, everyone is welcome. Saturday the races begin! Clover Point is a great spot for those interested in viewing the start of the event.

The boats will all be in the water off of Clover Point and it will be quite a sight to see.

The races continue over the course of the weekend. Ship Point in Victoria’s Inner Harbour will be the place to be to see the boats, check out the Bimini party tent, and view the sailing and safety demonstrations put on by Swiftsure and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
Please visit Swiftsure webiste for schedule of events.   http://www.swiftsure.org/

Live Web Cams at various locations along the Swiftsure route, Courtesy Big Wave Dave

Web Cam of Inner Harbour, Victoria BC Courtesy BC Royal Museum

Regardless if you live in the Greater Victoria Area, or on the other side of the planet, We hope you will all come out and enjoy the sights, sounds and excitement that Yacht Racing offers. If you do Live in the area, please send us a few of your favourite pictures of the Race, and the best entries will be awarded a couple of our finest wine please sent your entires to Peter and Linda Pfann,

Have a Pfanntastic Swiftsure Weekend