Introducing the 2020 Vic-Maui Fleet: Ultraman III
by Event Committee, May 20th, 2019
Ultraman III enters the 2020 Vic-Maui
Ultraman III, Jason Saunderson's new Naval Force 3 S-40, emerged in January and promptly dove into a race campaign that includes Southern Straits, Swiftsure, and the VanIsle 360, culminating in entering the 2020 Vic-Maui, racing for co-host Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
Great video from Southern Straits: https://bit.ly/2WWqZPa
Naval Force 3 S-40 background: Commissioned by a now defunct Japanese company called Seahorse (hence the S-40), designed by Joubert-Nivelt and built at the Naval Force 3 Yard in La Rochelle, France in 2006, the yacht was initially designed as an economical 12 metre day racer. Four boats were launched with two ending up in Japan, one remaining in France and now one in Canada. With some modifications at the launch: including a deeper rudder, additional ballast and a carbon rig, the boat has competed successfully offshore including two Transpacs (2013 & 2015). Joubert-Nivelt are renowned designers of almost 100 sailboat designs (including IMOCA 60s) and their designs have launched over 25,000 boats.
#vicmaui
Vic-Maui on Facebook and Twitter
- Follow Vic-Maui on Facebook
- Follow Vic-Maui on Twitter
We invite you to follow the 2020 Vic-Maui for Challenge • Adventure • Teamwork.
* * * * * * * * * *
Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race
The Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race is hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Lahaina Yacht Club. First contested in 1965 and sailed every second year since 1968, Vic-Maui is the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest ocean racing. Vic-Maui starts in July off Victoria, British Columbia and finishes near Lahaina, Maui, a distance of approximately 2308 nautical miles.
Vic-Maui challenges navigators to demonstrate their weather routing and navigational skills. Success depends on the navigator’s skill in predicting where the Pacific High pressure zone and trade winds will be, nearly a week into the future.
The adventure includes sailing around the Pacific High and surfing downwind in the trades. The days pass quickly with the fleet surrounded by dolphins and albatross, spectacular sunrises, sunsets and brilliant starlit nights.
Teamwork gets the boats to the finish line near Lahaina, where each arriving boat is greeted with an outstanding Hawaiian welcoming party. Family and friends meet the racers to celebrate the accomplishment with hugs, leis and mai-tais. Many crew stay to spend more time enjoying Maui with their families before heading home.
Visit www.vicmaui.org for Challenge - Adventure - Teamwork!
* * * * * * * * * *
Co-Hosts
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club • Lahaina Yacht Club
Gold
Navis Marine Insurance • Pacific Yachting • Martin Marine
Silver
CSR Marine • Eggbeater Creative • First Yacht Services
• Greater Victoria Harbour Authority • Harken • North Sails
• Pioneer Inn • Pro-Tech Yacht Services
• Ralph's Radio • Signature Yachts • Survitec Group
Southern Straits • Oregon Offshore • Swiftsure • Van Isle 360
* * * * * * * * * *
Featured Sponsor
Shackles & Cotterpins
Featured Yacht Profile
Annie M (2022)
Type: Amel Mango 52Skipper: John McCarthy
Port: Santa Fe, NM
Blog: 1 articles posted
The Annie M crew has a wealth of experience to contribute to the Vic-Maui 2022 race. John McCarthy, the captain of Annie M, is a lifelong sailor with experience racing Snipes and J24s, as well as cruising on a Swan 47 and, of course, an Amel 52, the Annie M. His boat has been beautifully restored and named after his beloved wife of 60 years.
Steve McCarthy brings years of racing and cruising experiences from sailing many seas. He’s also a sailmaker and, since 2004, owner of Hogin Sails located in Alameda, CA. In addition to working with sail lofts from Seattle to Santa Cruz, he has raced on Moore 24s and J24s and cruised on a Swan 47 across Europe. Our sails are in good hands with Steve as a sailor since he was a wee one.
Steve Summers is an instructor at Seattle Sailing Club, an Outward Bound teacher, and a National Outdoor Leadership teacher with experience sailing long voyages requiring an excellent ability to handle a variety of conditions and personalities. He’s also a Wilderness First Responder and a well-respected navigator in the Pacific Northwest. A calm soul called to the wild, Steve seeks adventure, and Vic-Maui is one of the adventures he’s ready to tackle.
Callum Hally is focused on sailing when the opportunity arises. In the past five years, he’s sailed more than 500 hours on a variety of boats such as a Catalina 22, J35c and an Andrew 53 to name a few. Through his previous job with Seattle Sailing Club supporting the customer’s experience, he became passionate about being on the water. He’s an excellent crew member with an insatiable thirst for reading, which makes him a fascinating conversationalist, wise beyond his years.
Bill Busch participated as “old goat’ status for Mackinaw races. He’s had a 1st place PHRf overall, 1st place in j105 class, 1st place j120 class. He’s looking forward to sailing a long ocean passage. He recently completed his International Offshore Safety program at St. Petersburg Florida Yacht Club. Bill is known for his kindness and patience.
Sarah Mackay, a lifelong sailor who learned at a young age the art of not getting seasick and never getting bored. She’s a crew member, communicator and, on occasion, cracker of jokes at which she’s the only one laughing. She has raced on J24s and J30s, crossed the North Sea and cruised throughout Europe on a Swan 47, and explored the Pacific Northwest on an Amel 52 named Annie M.
We are busy preparing the boat (and ourselves) for this epic journey. This year, Annie M will be entered in the Pacific NW Offshore Yacht Race and the Swiftsure Yacht Race leading up to our start date of the Vic-Maui International Yacht Race in early July.
