Organizers of West Vancouver Yacht Club’s 46th Annual Southern Straits Race are calling it one of the best in the race’s history. The regatta, held on April 18-19, 2014, boasted sunny and breezy conditions, ideal for the fleet of more than 100 boats.
The Easter Weekend racing tradition saw sailors criss-crossing Georgia Strait testing their strategy, skill, and endurance while racing overnight in early season conditions.
“Personally it was a pleasure to be out on the race course and have a front row seat to watch all the yachts pushing each other during the day,” said Regatta Chair Ty Abrams. “Witnessing the likes of Icon, Glory, Neptune’s Car and Westerly working their way through the fleet was one of the more impressive sights I have seen in my sailing career.”
On the other end of the spectrum, the race welcomed many first time Straits racers in smaller, older production boats. A sizeable crowd gathered at Dundarave Pier to watch the start and experience competitive sailing up close.
The winners were:
Long course: Neptune’s Car – Santa Cruz 70. Paul LaMarche – CYC Seattle
Medium course: Midsummer – Davidson 29. Ty Abrams – WVYC
Short course: Viola – Laser 28. Frank Fletcher – WVYC
Inshore course: Ocean Pearl – Melges 24. Harry Coleman – WVYC
Full results can be found at www.southernstraits.ca Sailors are encouraged to mark their calendars for next year’s race which will take place on April 3-5, 2015.
