Overall size of fleet increases substantially - Van Isle race

by Janine Bell on 15 May 2001 Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race. June 9 - 24

The count down begins, with only 30 days left to the start of the third edition of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race around wild and rugged Vancouver
Island, B.C. As of May 9, 2001 there are 22 official entries. With a month to go the fleet will most likely outnumber last year but already the overall length of the fleet has
grown substantially. Boats ranging in size from 31 to 102 feet long and from 9 to 45 ft wide and coming from as far away as San Francisco have signed on for this year's
thrilling adventure. Not only will the boats occupy more space at the dock this year, but they will also take up more space in the harbour and on the start line. Wayne
Gorrie, race director, states ' I don't know of another race anywhere where such diverse boats all start at the same time on the same line. Given the diversity of the fleet,
the speed potential of some of the big multihulls and the natural boundaries of some of the starting lines the starts are going to be extremely interesting for the sailors and
very exciting to watch. '

CANADIAN NAVY ENTERS THE RACE

The largest entry thus far is the 'HMCS Oriole' Canada's oldest and longest serving commissioned ship. She is a 102 foot long ketch (two masts). Her main mast is 104
feet tall and she has a total sail area of 15,700 square feet. She's a big boat and requires a big crew to handle her, 21 to be exact and they will have their work cut out for
them as the Oriole has no winches. It will be quite a test for the crew to short-tack through Discovery Channel and up Johnstone Strait if the wind is against them.

Being equipped with all the latest and greatest in navigation and communication equipment the 'HMCS Oriole' will also assist with communications between the sailors,
the race committee and the coast guard on some of the remote offshore legs.

The 'HMCS Oriole' is actively involved in racing and won the 2000 Victoria to Maui race. She has also participated in many other races around the world including the
1998 Sydney to Hobart Race, the 1984 Tall Ships Bermuda to Halifax Race, Transpac and 25 Victoria to Maui races.

FOLLOW THE RACE AROUND THE ISLAND

Armchair sailors and those unable to participate this year can follow the adventures of the fleet as they race through the inside passage, around Cape Scott and then down
the 'Graveyard of the Pacific, as they circumnavigate Vancouver Island via the dynamic race website. Daily reports, photos and interviews will be posted at
www.vanisle360.nisa.com


MEDIA ATTENTION

The Cadillac Van Isle 360 continues to be a media magnet. The Vancouver Sun newspaper, will be doing a major series of feature stories, profiles and daily news
reports about this year's Cadillac Van Isle 360 race and has assigned a full time reporter to sail onboard Don Taylor's 'First Sight' for the entire race. The Sun's coverage
will also be made available to their sister newspapers across Canada, including the Calgary Herald, the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette and the National Post.
Mutihulls Magazine, a magazine based out of Boston MA., has also arranged for a sailing journalist to cover the event. He will be sailing onboard 'Rosinante' the 63 foot
trimaran. This coverage is in addition to the excellent coverage provided by the race sponsors, the Nanaimo Daily News, Central Island Radio and Pacific Yachting
Magazine.




Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race
info@vanisle360.nisa.net
www.vanisle360.nisa.net