67th Swiftsure International Yacht Race, May 29th-30th, 2010

1:26 AM Tue 23 Mar 2010 GMT

Steering Committee News March, 2010

Swiftsure BLOG is part of the web site where racers and other enthusiasts can submit and respond to postings, and generate discussion about race-related and racing related issues - check it out!

Swiftsure welcomes Jennifer Guest as Principal Race Officer for 2010; following in her father's footsteps (Gerry Guest is a past Swiftsure PRO), Jennifer brings 35 years of sailing experience, and 11 years of race management; she is honoured to be offered the role, and is thankful for the support of family and friends as she takes up this new challenge.

Registration opened March 15, 2010; late registration begins May 3, 2010; final day of registration is May 16, 2010; check Section 8 of NOR at swiftsure.org for details.

Customs clearance: visiting yachts entering Victoria Harbour may clear at the jetty at HMCS Malahat where Swiftsure volunteers will assist skippers with cellular telephone clearance, Thursday and Friday, May 27 and 28, 2010 from 0800 until 2000.

Under spinnaker during the 2009 edition - Randy Beveridge

Take the Swiftsure 2010 Environmental Pledge for this year's race and support the Royal Victoria Yacht Club's bid to achieve the Clean Regattas Bronze Level Designation from Sailors for the Sea (see sailorsforthesea.org); founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a non-profit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and coastal waters; you'll find pledge sheets in your skipper's package, at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, at the Swiftsure Bimini on race weekend, and online pledges will be available for race participants; to get you started thinking green, the updated 2009 Guide to Green Boating from the Georgia Strait Alliance has many excellent tips and good advice, and is available online at www.georgiastrait.org/files/GUIDE2009ReaderSpread.pdf

Swiftsure introduces Contest: Blow Your Own Horn and win big prizes! Once you register for Swiftsure 2010, send us a short story (500 word maximum) or video clip (maximum 3 minutes) as an attachment via email, with the subject line Blow Your Own Horn, to [email protected] telling us something interesting about YOU - your boat, your crew, the number of times you've entered the race, maybe it's your first time, you celebrate a special occasion here each year, you met a good friend or maybe your sweetheart here, etc.; here are the prizes for your efforts.

1st Prize:
One deluxe one bedroom suite for two at the Executive House
Hotel, including dinner for two at Barkley's Steak House (donated by Executive House and Barkley's)
2nd Prize:
Whale Watching trip for 4 aboard the Ocean Magic (donated by Prince of Whales)
3rd Prize:
One HX280 VHF Radio (donated by Trotac Marine)

Contest closes at midnight on May 2, 2010. By entering, you agree to have your story published for the publicity and promotion of the race, through our media sponsors and web site. So, go ahead and Blow Your Own Horn!

As usual, live music entertainment is planned for the Bimini at Ship Point, from where the Swiftsure Information Centre will also operate, to round out the race weekend for racers, friends and family members, race enthusiasts, and the general public; look for expanded food offerings this year.

Long-time associate John Reimer will be back with his line up of interesting and varied Swiftsure apparel; added this year is an offering of Gill sailing gear, sporting the Swiftsure logo and presented by Trotac Marine

The 67th Swiftsure will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy and celebrate their long standing support of the race.

Visit swiftsure.org for updated information.

Notice of Race (NOR) is posted on the web site.

Contact ~
Bob Bentham & Donna Randall
Publicity & Promotion Co-Chairs

Swiftsure Office 250-592-9098
[email protected]