Gord Shoquist, previous PRO of the Cadillac Van Isle 360, leads Div. 2 !!!

June 18 - 2200 hours

Sailors on leg five of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 blasted off the start line in Chancellor Channel, in a spectacular fashion with a brisk 20 to 25 knot westerly. Dragonfly, Pat MacGarry's Forumla 40 Catamaran, rocketed off only to wait in the calm waters off the Telegraph Cove finish line for the fleet to catch up, and catch up they did.

The first three boats across the line, Dragonfly, Cheekee Monkee and Mystic finished within seconds of each other, with Dragonfly prevailing.

Time Bandit, Bob Brunius' J120, sailed a brilliant race, leading all but Dragonfly for most of the day, but it was Ross MacDonald's, Vaca Loca, who scooped the First Place Flag for Division 1.

Gord Shoquist's, Santana 35, Il Pelicano, sailed an excellent race winning first place in his division and is currently leading in overall standings for Div. 2. Gord Shoquist is the previous Van isle 360 race manager.

Cheekee Monkee had several spectacular blow outs, loosing two sails, but fortunately carried a large sail inventory onboard, and came back over the horizon to win Division 3. The first three multihulls corrected out within seconds of each other. Redshift was second and Flip, Flop and Fly came third. Unfortunately, Sauterelle, is having to withdraw from the event after reinjuring the tendons in his hand. John Green has been sailing the race with one hand in a brace. The fleet will be sorry to see them leave. John is a Dr. and can't risk any permanent tendon damage.

The finishing mark off telegraph cove was a very large orange triangular buoy set by the race committee. A passing fish boat, couldn't believe his luck, when he spied the large buoy floating in the middle of the harbour entrance and decided this would be his catch of the day. He was more than a little surprised to hear the loud hailer shouts coming from the heavily treed shoreline, and quickly sped off, minus his prize.

Telegraph Cove was once again a great host. Gordie Graham of Telegraph Cove and Marina cooked up his famous salmon bbq and provided moorage for the fleet. The awards Presentation was held in the Whale Bones Museum, how cool is that. Many thanks to Jim Borrowmen of Stubbs Island Whale watching and Gordie Graham.

Tomorrow's leg goes from Telegraph Cove to Port Hardy. For full results and photos see www.vanisle360.com

The Cadillac Van Isle 360 is a 580 nm (nautical mile) point to point race circumnavigating wild and rugged Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada from June 14 to 29, 2003. Sailed in ten legs the course provides inshore, offshore and overnight legs through some of the world's most challenging and beautiful waters.