Extreme Machines Lining up for Fastest Elapsed Time !!!

by Janine Bell on 24 Mar 2001 2001 Cadillac Van Isle 360

Some very hot boats are lining up for the third edition of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race. Of the thirty spots
available in the race only eight remain to be filled by the registration deadline of May 9, 2001.

Among the latest entries is 'Rosinante' an awesome 63 foot trimaran with a 90 foot rotating rig. Owner, Geoffrey Strange of the
Newport Shores Yacht Club in Tacoma, Wa. built Rosinante himself over a period of eight years. She is a new boat on the racing scene
and with a rating of (-70) she is the second fastest rated boat, so far, next to Dragonfly, the formula 40 catamaran whose rating is
(-125). It is conceivable that these boats could finish all legs in the Cadillac Van Isle 360 during daylight hours (the longest leg is 141
nm).

Race Director, Wayne Gorrie says 'We're delighted to welcome these speed demons to the race, but they do present some challenges
for the race committee. This race is a travelling road show and the race committee in the 'Arbutus RV' race motor home with the
'Anchorage Marina' committee boat in tow could easily end up in a 'Race' of their own to beat the boats to the next finish
line. Alternate arrangements for finish times will be made. Which leads to the question 'Just where do you put a 63 foot boat with a
beam of 45 ft in a place like Telegraph Cove? These are just a few of the challenges involved in organizing a race of this magnitude.
Race Manager, Gord Shoquist, is currently working out solutions with each town and with his race committee and says, 'This is what
makes this race so great, there are so many adventures, not just for the sailors, but the race committee as well. We love it.'

The race has also attracted other fast, high profile boats with several Santa Cruz 52's signed on. Gorrie says 'This race is perfect
for the fifties' and organizers are looking forward to other fifty footers joining in on this exciting fleet. Organizers also welcome
'Ragtime' the Santana 35 owned by Paul Watson of Vancouver, B.C. The race was actually designed based on the Santana
35's handicap rating of 129. In 1999 there was a good fleet of Santana's in the area so it was used as the benchmark boat in
establishing the length of the various legs and the cut off times. However, since that time the rating cap has been relaxed to 140 or
faster.

Whatever happens these boats are sure to be crowd pleasers at each 'host city' as they race around the Island. Sheer speed isn't
necessarily the determining factor in capturing the Fastest Elapsed Time. In this race with currents, back-eddies and tricky
navigation it is possible for slower rated boats to sail smarter and scoop the coveted 'UK Sails' white flag, presented to the 'first to
finish' boat in each leg. Witness the 1999 and 2000 Van Isle 360s where the Fastest Elapsed Time WAS NOT won by the fastest
rated boat. 'Redshift' a 31 foot multihull beat out a much faster rated monohull in 1999 and 'Diehler', a Santa Cruz 52 beat some
much faster rated multihulls last year, so anything is possible. In addition, all boats in the fleet will be vying for First, Second and
Third in their respective divisions and a new prize this year, 'First Overall'.

Check out the dynamic race website for a list of registered boats complete with boat biographies, photos and more!!

www.vanisle360.nisa.com or contact the race office at info@vanisle360.nisa. com or phone 250-754-9236 for more information.