The Vic-Maui Newsletter

by Vic-Maui 2010 Committee on 1 Dec 2009 Race Entry Deadline. The race entry deadline is January 31, 2010. It's getting to be that time of the Vic-Maui two year race cycle where potential competitors are making the go/no-go decision for the 2010 race. Three early entrants have already been announced, months in advance of the race entry deadline. More competitors are currently working on race preparations and race entry packages. Vic-Maui encourages all competitors to file their entry forms as early as possible - this helps with race administration and with fleet building which is to everyone's benefit.

Preparation Seminar. A reminder that the Vic-Maui preparation seminar is scheduled for Saturday January 9, 2010 at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Topics and speakers include: rigging - Stewart Jones; emergency steering - Vern Burkhardt; weather & navigation - Ron Ogilvy; safety - Phil Barron; crew training - Ron Mackenzie; sails - Dave Miller; provisioning - Marlene Bolster; communications plan - Guy Walters; shore team logistics - Gaylean Sutcliffe. Advance registration is $35-$50, compared to $65 at the door, so it pays to register early. Email registration to gsutcliffe@kineticsailing.com.

Safety At Sea. At least 30% of the crew, including the skipper, must have completed a recognized Safety At Sea course satisfying the requirements of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations. The only course in the Pacific Northwest before the 2010 race starts is offered by The Sailing Foundation in Redmond WA on February 27-28, 2010. Lecture topics will include: first aid, rescue at sea, heavy weather seamanship, weather forecasting, damage control and repair, communications equipment, navigation, and personal safety equipment; and an optional session will provide hands-on training with in-the-water demonstrations, key survival tactics, man-overboard recoveries, flare procedures and helicopter evacuation. There is limited seating and reservations are strongly advised.

Battle Flags Are Back. By popular demand, Vic-Maui is reintroducing the coveted battle flags. A special run of 2008 battle flags has been delivered to the yacht clubs of each of the 2008 competitors, for presentation to those competitors. 2010 battle flags will be presented to competitors as they arrive in Victoria for their final pre-start preparations.

Sponsors. Vic-Maui sponsors are coming on line for the 2010 race. Longtime media sponsor Pacific Yachting continues for 2010. PY has provided editorial coverage of the race, literally for decades, and recently contributed significant archival material to the Vic-Maui website. PY staffers have a tradition of crewing on the Vic-Maui, including Tyrone Stelzenmuller and Dale Miller in 2008 on Zulu. Most recently, PY has been running full page colour ads featuring the Vic Maui race and 2010 race poster. Our sponsors support our race; we can each make a personal point of acknowledging their contributions by considering their products and services.

Shackles & Cotterpins welcomes your feedback, comments and suggestions. You can contact us at shackles.editor@vicmaui.org . You can find a list of all other Vic-Maui contacts on our website. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race, first contested in 1968, is the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest ocean racing. Vic-Maui runs every second year, starting in June or July off Victoria, British Columbia and finishing near Lahaina, Maui, a distance of approximately 2308 nautical miles.

Vic-Maui challenges navigators to demonstrate their weather routing and navigational skills. Success depends on the navigator’s skill in predicting where the Pacific High pressure zone and trade winds will be, nearly a week into the future. The adventure includes sailing around the Pacific High and surfing downwind in the trades. The days pass quickly with the fleet surrounded by dolphins and albatross, spectacular sunrises, sunsets and brilliant starlit nights. Teamwork gets the boats to the finish line near Lahaina, where each arriving boat is greeted with an outstanding Hawaiian welcoming party. Family and friends meet the racers to celebrate the accomplishment with hugs, leis and mai-tais. Many crew stay to spend more time enjoying Maui with their families before heading home.

Visit vicmaui.org for Challenge - Adventure - Teamwork!