Day 1 - Canada Day - Vic-Maui Starts from Victoria

by Vic-Maui, July 1st, 2018

And they’re off!  At 10:00 am Pacific Time, the 2018 Vic-Maui fleet sailed through the start line outside Victoria Harbour, tacking into a stiff, building Westerly breeze. 

In the days leading up to the start, the sun broke out just in time for the fleet Send-off Party which rocked the Wharf Street docks on June 29.  Transient Orcas (killer whales) patrolled the entrance to Victoria’s Harbour on a damp June 30. 

Today, July 1^st – Canada Day – dawned sunny, breezy, and warm (if not exactly tropical).  The Race Committee vessel Adventure-Us hung on a tenuous anchor off Brotchie Ledge, while the spectator boat fleet circled and a drone flew overhead.  The VIP spectator boat Midnight Sun elegantly patrolled the spectator boat zone.    

Firefly led the fleet across the start line, while Anjo went walk-about before starting five minutes back and sailing up through most of the fleet.  Kraken stayed on the grid and blog-sailed, or is that sail-blogged?  Salient and Turnagain exchanged pleasantries from too close range, and the red bunting flew on both boats.   Joy Ride pressed hard through Race Passage and on West in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  After a hearty cheer on World Cup breaking news, with Russia beating Spain, Victor Mushkatin’s team on Sérénité sailed with increased enthusiasm.  Geminis Dream worked their way up the course, shaking out reefs as they went.  Oxomoxo stylishly swanned their way through the waves. 

Eight hours into the race, the fleet is working its way towards the big left turn at Cape Flattery, and the open Pacific Ocean where the adventure truly begins.  Weather systems including the North Pacific High, and a developing low pressure trough, lie ahead in wait. 

A big thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who organized the Vic-Maui Pre-Start Venue hospitality and events in Victoria’s Inner harbour. 

Vic-Maui is co-hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Lahaina Yacht Club.  The Royal Victoria Yacht Club provided logistical support and volunteers in Victoria. 

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