The Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race

by Mark Silverton on 11 Jun 2001 The Cadillac Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race blasted out of Nanaimo
Harbour this morning putting on a spectacular show. 21 boats ranging in
size from 30 to 102 feet were on the start line this morning with ultimate
conditions, clear sunny skies, flat seas and gusty winds. The wind was 15
knots out of the South West gusting to 20. During their prestart
maneouveurs many of the boats sailed close by the pier allowing the
hundreds of spectators a close up view. Several of the multihulls put
on a quite show flying a hull or two past the pier and drawing gasps and
cheers from the crowd . It was extemely exciting to watch such diverse
boats as the HMCS Oriole, at 102 feet long, and Rosinante, the 63 foot
trimaran with a 45 foot beam, all start together. Many thanks to the
'Woodlands Jazz Band' who entertained the crowd and Kevin McMeel for his
excellent commentary and play by play.

Hakuna Matata, skippered by Sandy Huntingford of the West Van Yacht club
won the start, followed by 3D and Havoc. Bad Kitty, a 36 foot Catamaran
skippered by Karl Uthoff held back at the start, opting for clear air.
Utoff's tactics paid off big time as he was the first boat out of the
harbour and around Gallows Point, followed by Redshift.

The lead changed many times between Dragonfly, Redshift, Diehler and 3D.
The wind was very shifty requiring many sail changes with 180 degree wind
shifts becoming the norm. Santa Cruz 52 'Diehler'owned by Bob Diehl of
Bellingham wore their spinnaker plastered to their rigging after the wind
switched from SW to NE in one boat length. First Sight, owned by Don
Taylor of the Maple Bay Yacht snapped their bow sprit in two after a
spectacular broach. Stewart Jackman of the STV Goldcrest said 'we did so
many sail changes today we found sail we never knew we had.'

First over the finish line in French Creek was Dragonfly, the Formula 40
catamaran, skippered by Pat McGarry of Seattle Wa. finishing at 14:21:52
followed by Redshift and Diehler.

Winner of the UK sails 'First to Finish' white flag was Pat McGarry on
Dragonfly. Div. 1 winners were Karina, a Cayenne International 41 out of
Vancouver, Time Bandit skippered by Bob Brunius of Orcas Island Wa. and in
third place Havoc, a C & C SR33 skippered by Gunnar Jonnson. Div. 2
winners were first place Paul Watson's Santana 35, Ragtime, from
Vancouver, in second place Aeriel, skippered by Bill Malone and in third
place Lordelpus helmed by Matt Wagstaff of Vancouver. In the multihull
Division, Wayne Gorrie's Redshift, of Nanaimo took first followed by 3D,
owned by David Miller and Bad Kitty in third.

Nanaimo was once again a wonderful host to the Van Isle 360 participants
with the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and Okanagan Spring Breweries throwing
a great welcome reception last night. It was a great evening topped off by
the excellent jazz of 'Melodic Cocktail'.

What a fantastic start to the 2001 Cadillac Van Isle 360. Everyone had a
great day on the water and are looking forward to tomorrow's leg to Comox.
Start time 9:00 am off the breakwater.

www.vanisle360.nisa.com