News

or call the Club at 604-921-7575.

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.

April 2, 2010 5:30 pm

At 3:45 pm April 2, 2010 the Coast Guard advised WVYC that the sailing yacht Incisor had capsized and that all 6 crew are accounted for and are being assisted by the Coast Guard.

Incisor is a 30 foot Custom Racing Yacht Skippered by Clint Curry of North Vancouver . The boat sails from the West Vancouver Yacht Club.

The cause of the capsize of the boat is unknown at this time.

The race has been abandoned at 3:45 pm April 2, 2010 due to persistent heavy weather. As of 5:30 pm six remaining racing boats are heading for safe harbour.

-Southern Straits Race Committee

April 2, 2010 6:45 pm

Of Incisor's crew of six, all six have been accounted for in Nanaimo.

- Southern Staits Race Committee

April 2, 2010 1415 hours, The Shadow (Medium Course)

Reports sailing in 35 - 40 kts wind, have experienced several broaches. Main is shredded and stored below. Currently near Nanaimo en route to Navy Bouy (their first rounding) sailing at 8 kts under storm jib only.

April 2, 2010

Mojo at 1345.

12.5 km to Navy Buoy. Crew and boat in good shape.

Wind gusts mid 40's; waves seem to be dissipating from 2-2.5 m.

Only flying a little sliver of jib and still making 10-12 kts.

Hoping for winds to abate and switch to SW.

April 1, 2010

3-hourly wind
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/loops/wxloop.cgi?mm5d2_e_ww_wssfc+//72/3

1 hourly wind
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/loops/wxloop.cgi?mm5d2_e_ww_wssfc+//72/1

3 hourly isobars broader view with precipitation contoured
http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~ovens/loops/wxloop.cgi?mm5d1_pcp3+//72/3

You should be able to access this password protected site. It will take some playing to get used to the site but the selections in the attached image should be made.

Canadian Model. username: vizaweb, password: vizaweb

telephone numbers

marine 900 line: 1 900 565 6565
or to pay by credit card 1 888 292 2222

February 5, 2010 Southern Straits has been named a Vic-Maui Qualifying Race.
Please Click Here for more information.

February 4, 2010 The Notice of Race has been revised.
Section 1.6 has been added to specify allowance for a "qualified" use of Dyneema lifelines.

January 25, 2010 The Notice of Race has been revised.
Section 7.5 has been modified to allow boats with a rating as low as 99 to sail the Short Course.

January 1, 2010. The Notice of Race has been published and can be found via a link on the "venue" page.
Online registration is now available. Click on the "register" link to complete your entry.

Attention all out-of-town participants with trailer capability and vessels weighing under 10,000 lbs

The West Vancouver Yacht Club's dry moorage wharf is fitted with a 5 ton motorized hoist. This new facility has raised the racing profile at WVYC with the addition of several new vessels in a highly competitive fleet.

Please contact the club to enquire about using this new facility to launch and haul your vessel for this year's Southern Straits.