The Van Isle 360 is a biennial (odd year), 580 nm. point to point race circumnavigating wild and rugged Vancouver Island, B.C. Sailed in a series of legs the course provides inshore, offshore and overnight legs through some of the most stunning and challenging waters on the planet. Now in its 20th year the race will reach Port Hardy on Wednesday, June 5th.
Over the next month we will be introducing you to the the competitors in the 2019 Van Isle 360.
First up we have
65_Red Roses coming back after losing her rudder of Port Hardy in the 2017 race. Skipper and Crew were well prepared for the mishap receiving positive comments from the Canadian Coast Guard Lifeboat Cape Sutil for their seamanship. The team is pumped and looking forward to the 2019 race.
Sail #: CAN 38
Skipper: Bruce Chan/Alex Smyth
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: West Vancouver Yacht Club
Type: J/111
Designer: Johnstone
Builder: J-Boats
ORC GPH: 572.9
LOA: 11.085 Meters
Beam: 3.266 Meters
Draft: 2.221 Meters
Next on our list is The Alegria X , she returns to the Van Isle after finishing second in her division in 2015.
Sail #: CAN 4501
Skipper: Eberhard Heinzemann
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Type: Dufour 45e
Designer: Umberto Felci
Builder: Dufour
ORC GPH: 581.4
LOA: 13.6m
Beam: 4.3m
Draft: 2.318m
The Back Bay is returning for her second go round is a passionate rabble of sailors from Alaska, Anacortes, Vancouver, Albuquerque and Oakland who have sailed and raced together over the last 5 years on this classic Cal 39. The goal is to keep improving on every race!
Sail #: 8939
Skipper: Peter Schoenburg
Province/State: New Mexico
Yacht Club: Berkeley Yacht Club
Type: Cal 39
Designer: Lapworth
Builder: Jensen Marine
ORC GPH: 633.5
LOA: 11.841m
Beam: 3.847m
Draft: 2.168m
Blue was built in the Pacific North West in 2013, where she raced for a few months before heading to the Great Lakes for 5 racing seasons. Blue returned to the PNW to prepare for the 2018 Pac Cup. After successful Southern Straits, Swiftsure, Round the County and Pac Cup, we look forward to the 2019 Van Isle 360.
Skipper: Michael Schoendorf
Province/State: Wisconsin
Yacht Club: South Shore Yacht Club
Type: Riptide 41
Designer: Paul Beiker
Builder: Betts Enterprises
ORC GPH: 485.9
LOA: 12.539m
Beam:4.008m
Draft: 2.913m
The Blue Joy sailed from Portugal to Cost Rica and spent some time enjoying the warm waters. She is enroute to Vancouver via container ship for her first circumnavigation of Vancouver Island.
Sail # GBR8416R
Skipper: Trevor Treharne
Province/State: British Columbia
Yacht Club: Vancouver Rowing Club
Type: J/120
Designer: Bob Johnstone
Builder: J Composites
ORC GPH: 594ish – in progress
LOA – 12.244 m
Beam: 3.670 m
Draft: 2.169 m
