Swiftsure 2026 was blessed with perfect start conditions, a strong ebb tide and building westerly winds. By
the time yachts reached Race Rocks, the wind had built to a sustained 30 knots, which continued well into
the evening, challenging even the most experienced and prepared crew and yachts.

The time-record for the 75.2 nm Juan de Fuca-Multi-Hull Race was smashed by Cheekee Monkee, with Kim
Alfreds and crew, crossing the line in an elapsed time of 6:57:44. Tahlequah, sailed by Don Leighton, took
line honours in the Juan de Fuca-Monohull, with Cherokee and Peter Stewart correcting to 1 st Place.
First to Finish in the 101.9 nm Cape Flattery (ORC) Race was the Santa Cruz 70, All of It, skippered by Ben
Mumford, finishing in 10:18:16; with Terramoto and William Weinstein ultimately claiming 1 st Place Overall
on corrected time. Line honours and 1 st Place in the Cape Flattery (PHRF) went to Moose Unknown, sailed
by John Aitchison and crew.

In the 138.2 nm Swiftsure Lightship Classic, the 77’ Mach II, owned by Dan Sinclair, from Vancouver,
reached the finish line in 16:03:50, and held on to win on correct time, after seeing 12-15 foot waves out at
Swiftsure Bank; hot soup provided after finishing was devoured by the crew. Royal Victoria Yacht Club
boats Hana Mari, skippered by Ged McLean, and Elbows Up, with AJ Hesford, took 2nd and 3rd
respectively. See the full results on our Results Page.

Here’s a round of applause for all skippers and crew from the entire Pacific Northwest, who took on the
task of preparing their yachts and travelling to Victoria to participate in the 81st Swiftsure International
Yacht Race!

The Inner Harbour and Clover Point provided sparkling venues for the spectators, visitors and volunteers,
who enjoyed the sights and beautiful weather in Victoria BC on the US Memorial Day weekend. Live music
on Friday night in the Inner Harbour was enjoyed by sailors and non-sailors alike; and the view of the
yachts from Clover Point Saturday morning couldn’t have been more exhilarating, with a pod of transient
Orcas joining the action!

Many volunteer hours were clocked in the lead-up to this spectacular event, which could not happen
without that input, and the continuing support of our loyal Sponsors year-after-year!
A huge Thank You to the whole community of participants, volunteers and sponsors!
Looking forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027!

Royal Victoria Yacht Club Commodore Heather Brazier, the RVYC Board, and the 2026 Swiftsure Committee, are excited to welcome all Competitors and Spectators to the 81^st Sailing of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race, May 23-24, 2026! A warm welcome is extended to our friends from British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.  

We wish all participants in the 50^th Sailing of the Pacific NW Offshore International Yacht Race a fantastic and safe race, and look forward to welcoming them to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club May 15-16

As the Royal Victoria Yacht Club prepares to welcome competitors for the 81st running of the event, a recap of the 2025 edition is in order.

We hope competitors from last year will return to defend their victories, or claw their way back onto the leaderboard in 2026. We also look forward to welcoming back past competitors from prior years, and those new to Swiftsure.

Last years numbers (95 boats) were consistent with past trends; we hope to increase these numbers in 2026.

• Swiftsure Lightship Classic 7 boats
• Cape Flatter
• ORC 37 boats
• PHRF 11 boats (6 J-105s)
• Juan de Fuca Monohulls 18 boats
• Juan de Fuca Multihulls 4 boats
• Inshore Racing 7 boats
• Inshore Cruising 11 boats

The Cape Flattery ORC class continues to grow, and with 37 boats spread across four divisions, providing arguably the most competitive racing. The J 105 fleet may disagree.

Long-Course Results Recap
The SLC once again was a war of attrition. Sir Isaac and Hana Mari hung in for a close finish on Sunday evening, with the Orcas Island Yacht Club based schooner Sir Isaac finishing 10 minutes ahead, and correcting out by 26 minutes on the locals.

Cape Flattery ORC ranged from the Reichel Pugh 55 Scatteration to a Hobie 33. After a light start and park-up at Race Rocks several of the fastest-rating boats called it a day. The wind filled in shortly, thereafter, making for a classic Swiftsure in a nice moderate westerly for most Neah Bay boats.

The top three boats were no strangers to the podium; with the always well-sailed Riptide 35 Teramoto on top; followed by the also well sailed J-111 65 Red Roses out of West Van Yacht Club, and Maelstrom Dan Kaesler’s new Melges 30 from Point Madison in third.

Cape Flattery PHRF was the J-105 show. Starring: Moose Unknown (1 st ), Panic (2 nd .),
and Jaded (3 rd .)

The Juan de Fuca monohulls saw Peter Dennis, with Star class world-champion Ross MacDonald doing what he does on Setri, easily sail to victory. Mata Hari and Cherokee rounded out the top three.

In the small multihull class, the new to the PNW Kelona took first.

For full results, including Inshore see.

Swiftsure International Yacht Race » Swiftsure 2025 Results

Dugald Smith
Swiftsure Principal Race Officer