2009 Save On Foods Van Isle 360
Overall Results
Night Runner - Div 2 Overall Winner - Photo Sean Trew June 21 - Nanaimo - 2330 hrs - The 2009 Save On Foods Van Isle 360 came to a conclusion today with a Final Awards Reception hosted by the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership with generous support from Paradise Island Cheese. This year's race enjoyed fantastic weather and lots of sun but sailing conditions were light providing the fleet with a relatively easy sail all the way around Vancouver Island. Competition was fierce with most boats earning at least one podium position during the ten leg event. It was anybody's race right up until the end with boats who had dominated the top spots for much of the event punted off the podium after the final legs.
The mood on the docks today was one of post-party depression as sailors are loathe to leave and return to reality. Yellow flags for one more time around abound.  Dragonfly Fastest Overall - Photo Pacific Fog Although not sailing in a division, Dragonfly, the Forumla 40 Catamaran added hugely to the event by providing serious competition for Icon for the elapsed time trophy. Icon, a Perry 66 and Dragonfly duked it out all the way around the Island with Dragonfly finally prevailing and winning the overall Elapsed Time by 42 minutes and 28 secs.
In Div. 2 it was the wooden Bob Perry designed, Night Runner, skippered by Doug Fryer of Anacortes WA., who, refusing to leave the podium, hung in there to secure First Place Overall in the event by a mere 3 points (523). The only other woodie in the event, Myrrh, a Jesperson 30 skippered by Michael Kalahar from Port Angeles, Wa., came Second Overall (520). Myrrh's spectacular performance especially in light airs ensured them a podium position. In Third Place Overall was Zorra, skippered by Jim Lowry of Seattle, who through perserverance and hard work climbed up through the standings and secured their spot (515).
 Something Wicked Crew
In Div. 1, Something Wicked, a Beneteau 40.7 skippered by Kevin Reath and Alex Fox dominated their diviision from the get go winning First Overall (494). Second Place Overall was another Bob Perry designed boat, the 66 foot Icon, skippered by Kevin Welch of Anacortes Wa. (424). Icon's last two first place finishes pushed the big blue boat up the standings. Ron Jewula's cool and well sailed Aerodyne 38, Kairos, from Victoria BC placed Third Overall (420). Bill Jones, skipper of Ion from Nanaimo, BC was presented with the best sportsman award sponsored by NISA.
This year's winning skippers were awarded beautiful framed artwork by local artist David Wicks. Dragonfly's skipper, Richard Ackrill from Victoria BC, was presented a gorgeous metal fish sculpture by another local artist, Steve Rolando.
Joe Daponte, the skipper of Opus was the lucky winner of a random draw for a fishing trip sponsored by Oak Bay Marine Group. The prize consists of a two night fishing trip for two people to the MV Marabell in Hakai Pass, BC, and includes airfare from Vancouver, accommodations and meals.
 Div 1 Winner Overall - Something Wicked  Night Runner Crew - 1st Overall Div 2  Myrrh - 2nd Overall Div. 2
2009 Save On Foods Van Isle 360
Leg Ten - Victoria to Nanaimo - 60.4 nm
Dragonfly sets a new course record for leg 10
June 21 - Nanaimo Harbour - 1247 hrs - The final and last leg of the Save On Foods Van Isle 360, from Victoria to Nanaimo, started with a 20 knot SW wind which provided a full speed run past Ten Mile Point. The breeze lightened as the boats made their way up Haro Strait and shut down off Stuart Island. Basically the race restarted here as the boats who got out first had an advantage. The fleet split here with eight boats heading out Boundary Pass and the rest following Dragonfly and Icon up Swanson Channel.
This year's winning route was up Trincomali Channel and out Porlier Pass into Georgia Strait. This route is 15 miles shorter than the route out Boundary Pass but can be a gamble with finding wind. Not so this year however. Once out of the hole the fleet found brisk reaching conditions all the way to Entrance Island, with Icon and Dragonfly sustaining boat speeds in the high teens.
Dragonfly, Richard Ackrill's Formula 40 Catamaran, set a new course record for this leg of 10 hours and seven minutes with Icon finishing 11 minutes later. All boats reported doing hull speed most of the night with the last boats also finishing in record time at 0730 hrs.
Icon won her second consecutive first place finish earning her an overall position on the podium. Something Wicked remained consistent throughout the entire event coming second in the leg. Kairos gave a very impressive performance in the heavy air running and reaching conditions and carried on through the night to secure a third.
The huge upset in Division 2 saw Dilligaf finally coming into her own to nail a first place for the leg by a large margin. Zorra who has been steadily climbing up through the standings claimed second and Intuition came from behind to grab third place.
More photos and Overall standings will be posted soon.
Kevin Welch -Icon 1st (l), Ron Jewula - Kairos 3rd (red flag), Alex Fox and Kevin Reath of Something Wicked 2nd.
June 21 - Nanaimo Harbour - 0750 hrs. - During today's final awards presentation one skipper's name will be randomly drawn for a grand prize donated by the Oak Bay Marine Group. The prize consists of a two night fishing trip for two people to the MV Marabell in Hakai Pass, BC, and includes airfare from Vancouver, accommodations and meals.
June 20 - Nanaimo Harbour - 1207 hrs. - Big smiles everywhere on the docks this morning. Most boats had an awesome sail last night and everyone is on a big high having just completed one of the coolest yacht races on the planet.
The awards presentation will take place at Pioneer Plaza on the waterfront in downtown Nanaimo tomorrow morning at 1100 hrs. No results will be posted until after the awards are presented.
June 20 - Nanaimo Harbour - 0915 - All boats were finished and tied up at the dock by 0730 hrs. This was indeed a fast leg. More news to follow
June 20 - Nanaimo Harbour - 0220 hrs. - Something Wicked has also just called in their one hour out.
June 20 - Nanaimo Harbour - 0214 hrs - White Cloud just called in their one hour out from the finish line and are reported off Snake Island. Zorra, Intuition, Myrrh, Opus and Jaz were reported passing Porlier Pass with 11 knots of wind approximately 2 hours ago.
June 20 - Nanaimo Harbour - 0113 hrs - Dragonfly was first to cross the finish line in Nanaimo followed closely by Icon.
June 20 - Nanaimo Harbour - 0002 hrs - Dragonfly just called in to report they are 6 miles from the finish.
June 19 - Nanaimo Harbour- 1154 hrs - Icon has just called in their one hour out. Reports have Dragonfly in the same vicinity but this has not been confirmed yet.
June 19 - Nanaimo Harbour - 1130hrs. - As at 2030 hrs. reports had 50% of the fleet heading out through Boundary Pass and 50% heading in. The shortest distance is through the Gulf Islands which is 60.4 nm, heading out through Boundary Pass and into the Strait of Georgia is about 90 nm.
Icon is currently abeam of Thrasher Rock just off Gabriola Pass with the wind SW 10-15 knots. No reports yet on where Dragonfly is. The record for this leg is 10 hours 56 minutes so a new record for the leg is still possible.
the start - leg 10 Victoria
Racing past Oak Bay
Something Wicked leads the fleet off the start line in Victoria
June 19 - Malahat Look Out - 1750 hrs. The start of the last leg of the Save On Foods Van Isle 360 was spectacular. A 20 knot SW wind off Brotchie Ledge provided plenty of entertainment for spectators as boats were rounding up and being pinned down by their kites. Dragonfly started with a reefed main and jib and stuffed the bows a couple of times sending spray everywhere. The fleet made it to Ten Mile Point in less than an hour and spectators lined the road at every vantage point. Trying to keep up by road was virtually impossible. The boats who went inside Discovery and Trial Islands made out better than those who went out.
Going into this leg a slim margin of 24 points separates First Place overall from Fourth Place overall in Division 2 where Night Runner has taken the lead, Tryst and Myrrh are tied for second and Karina II is in fourth. In Division 1, 45 points separate First from Third, with Something Wicked holding onto First, Tripp Tease in Second and White Cloud in third.
As this leg has the highest value in the race nobody is secure. This leg is sailed at night through the Gulf Islands and the numerous routes and tidal passes make it a tactician's nightmare.
June 19 - 1330 hrs - Ship's Point Causeway - The boats are leaving the inner harbour in preparation for the start of the last and final leg of the Save On Foods Van Isle 360 at 1500 hrs off Ogden Point.
Updates, Results and Photos on previous legs can be found by clicking the individual legs at the top of this page
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