JUST LIKE THE BROCHURE SAID!!!

June 24/03-2300

Leg 8 of the Cadillac Van Isle 360 was "Just like the Brochure said!!", a textbook run in brisk NW winds of 20 - 30 knots down the westcoast of Vancouver Island to Ucluelet. Three boats finished the 140 nm leg before dark with the Formula 40 Catamaran 'Dragonfly' setting a new record for this leg of 11:24:52 hrs.

The 1 - 2 meter waves and occasional 35 knot gusts caused a lot of gear damage, with many boats breaking halyards, blocks or blowing spinnakers. While conditions were excellent the nature of the waves required aggressive steering by both multihulls and monohulls. Havoc, the CCSR33 owned by Gunnar Jonnson had their rudder sheered off South East of Esperanza Inlet, their emergency rudder also sustained damage. The HMCS Brandon, who was providing safety escorts for the fleet, towed the boat into Zeballos, the nearest safe water with road access. Gunnar has had a new rudder fabricated and is currently making his way down the coast, in hopes of joining the last leg of the race from Victoria to Nanaimo.

A crew member onboard Kim Alfreds F31 Trimaran, 'Cheekee Monkee' suffered three broken ribs, and various other injuries when he was thrown forward down below when the hard charging trimaran came to a screaching halt during one of her countless stuffing incidents. Kim Alfred's aggressive driving driving style did, however, pay big dividends on the finish line arriving 1 hour and 38 minutes ahead of the second place multihull Redshift.

Flip, Flop and Fly, otherwise known as '3F', is the former '3D', who twice before came to grief on this particular leg - last time capsizing. Upon her safe arrival in Ucluelet, her new owners, Tim Knight and Sandy MacMillan celebrated the boat's milestone. These guys did a great job of rebuilding the damaged '3D' and are learning to sail her very quickly.

The two Santana 35's, Il Pellicano and Ragtime had an excellent race, setting new personal speed records and finishing within 20 secs. of each other. Gord Shoquist's Il Pelicano currently sits at 3rd Overall in Div. 2 and Ragtime is in 5th place. Winning this leg and currently leading Division 2 is Matt Wagstaffe's " Lordelpus", a Moorings Beneteau 43, and Matt Wagstaffe's home. The boat is now being referred to by the fleet as "the cruising sled". This is Lordelpus's (Lord Elp Us), third Cadillac Van Isle 360 and obviously he was paying attention. The Dash 34, Ockham's Racer won second for the leg and is currently second overall in Division and Music, John McCartney's Nordic 44 from Tacoma Yacht Club placed third, their best performance thus far. Sitting in third place overall is Bill Malone's, "Aeriel", a McCurdy 40.

In Div. 1 Vaca Loca prevails with another impressive first place finish and a healthy lead Overall. Carene, Bob Lubowicki's, 40 ft. X yacht was second on the leg and Time Bandit placed third. Overall Standings have the Wayne Cross's J33, Crossfire, in second, and the Beneteau 36l, Evolution in third.

The Cadillac Van Isle 360 has been very well supported by the Canadian Navy, the Canadian Coast Guard and Auxilliary Coast Guard 38 in Ucluelet. The Auxilliary Coast Guard, stood by all night escorting each vessel through Ucluelets rocky harbour and assisting with moorage. MCTS Ucluelet (CCG), assisted with roll calls and communicaitons and the HMCS Brandon stood by to offer assistance as required. This leg of the race can be treacherous, some of the biggest waves in the world have been recorded in this area and the wind frequently howls. The safety net provided by CGA 38, Tofino Coast Guard Radio and the HMCS Brandon has been invaluable and very much appreciated by the sailors and organisers alike. Many thanks!!!!!!!!

Upon arriving in Ucluelet each boat was greeted by a member of the community and presented a gift box, which had been decorated by the local school kids and included a letter of encouragement from the kids to the skippers and other local goodies. A west coast BBQ and awards party rounded out the stop in this beautiful part of the world nicely.

The sailors have enjoyed two full layover days in this seaside village, and have taken advantage of the sun to dry out sails, make repairs and generally get caught up on some long overdue sleep.

Tomorrow's leg starts at 1000 hrs off Amphitrite Point, and takes the crews down the Graveyard of the Pacific, to Victoria. 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.