West Vancouver Yacht Club Presents
The 42nd Annual Southern Straits - April 2-4, 2010

The 42nd annual Southern Straits Yacht Race commenced on schedule April 2, 2010 at10:30 Good Friday morning at the starting line off Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver. The weather conditions at the start were generally as predicted at the Environment Canada weather briefing with strong but manageable SE winds. Most skippers made the decision to start the race. During the day on Friday the wind conditions continued to build rather than subside somewhat as predicted and many of the yachts in the fleet decided to drop out of the race and notified the Race Committee of their decision.

At approximately 3:45 PM Friday the Race Committee received a message that the yacht Incisor had been lost and all six crew had been recovered and were being transported to Nanaimo hospital. At approximately 4:00 PM the Race Committee reviewed the number of yachts in the fleet continuing to race, which had by that time been reduced to approximately 20 percent of the starting fleet, the weather conditions as compared to the forecast and the amount of daylight time remaining and took the decision that it was prudent to abandon the race. Through the Yacht Club communications centre and with the assistance of the Coast Guard, competitors were advised that the race had been abandoned and all vessels on the race course should seek safe harbour and report in when they were secure. Through the evening, the Race Committee made contact with or otherwise established the whereabouts of each vessel and communicated with emergency contacts.

The six crew members of Incisor all suffered from hypothermia and were treated at Nanaimo hospital. Four crew were released on Friday evening, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.

On Saturday afternoon the Coast Guard advised the Yacht Club that the yacht Incisor had been found and was provided information on the location. The Yacht Club advised the insurance broker who made arrangements for a salvage operation to be undertaken. We understand that Incisor has been recovered.

In addition to the damage to Incisor, two yachts lost their masts and rigging. In both cases the yachts proceeded either on their own power or with assistance to a safe harbour.

The Yacht Club wishes to acknowledge and thank the competitors for their efforts to communicate with the Race Committee to establish their whereabouts, and to the crew of the yacht Radiant Heat, the Coast Guard, BC Ferries and all other persons who participated in the recovery and care of the crew of Incisor. Your professionalism, quick action and concern in difficult circumstances is recognized and appreciated.