Due to COVID-19, the biennial Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race has been cancelled. On its Facebook page, race organizers Jeff and Sylvia Motley write:
“Since acquiring the race in 2011, we have worked hard to build the race with safety as the priority and we feel we cannot violate this guiding principle. For this reason, the 2021 edition of the Van Isle 360 will not occur.”
This 580-mile, point-to-point race circumnavigation of Vancouver Island is comprised of inshore, offshore and overnight legs, where sailors experience some of the most spectacular and unforgiving waters on the planet, right here on the West Coast.
The Motley’s announced that they are in the process of selecting dates for the coming years based on the currents in Seymour Narrows and overnight tide minimums in Telegraph Cove—while being careful to avoid conflict with Swiftsure and the opening of the fishing season (which will see all accommodations booked). Preliminary dates for the next Van Isle 360 include June 4 to 18, 2022 and June 3 to 17, 2023. For more information, visit facebook.com/VanIsle360.