The Vic-Maui is a 2308 nautical mile sailboat race from Victoria, British Columbia to Lahaina, Maui. Like most good things in life it started as a bet, over drinks, between two skippers (who were probably drunk) on who could make it to Maui quicker. It is an interesting race, as it starts out as a fast paced “tacking” race up the Strait of Juan de Fuca (much like sailboat races in English Bay) .

And then at the end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca the boats make a critical decision that will test both flat out racing skills and strategic decision making. Depending on the location of the Pacific High, we will either turn right immediately and follow the coast down to a westerly coarse across or loop up towards the Aleutian’s (Gulf of Alaska) for a more southern approach. Like most strategic decision making ….. You are either a hero or bum.

The race is a traditional race, in the sense that it is a “Hand Steer” race with no Auto Pilots or Wind Vane steering allowed. Which, in our case means 2 people on deck at all times, 3 hour shifts, 24/7 for an estimated 14 days. (yes, this is my idea of a holiday) Once offshore, it is old school….. Wind direction indicator and compass. Check out the Vic-Maui website to find out more about our boat the Starlight Express and to track our progress via GPS technology. There’s also information on the race, the other boats and crews as well. I’ll get updates out as often as possible.

We are sailing in great sunshine but expect it not to last as a low pressure system is developing between us and the coast. The positive side of this low pressure system is that we will be sailing downwind almost through to the end of the trip. We are expecting 35+ knots of wind tonight with some rain squalls and possible thunder and lightening. We have just under 500 miles to go and I have been monitoring the ice situation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it seems there is plenty of ice left from the long winter and late Spring thaw. With a carbon hull on the boat it’s very fragile and susceptible to sharp objects in the water, I have decided to make a stop in Halifax for a week or so to give the ice a chance to clear.

Horta, Azores

The spring weather conditions in the North Atlantic are ideal for southern ocean training. Since leaving France we have had constant gales and tough upwind sailing with the forecast of more to come. The Open 60 is performing great and we are putting in some valuable sailing miles. As we were sailing the southern route, weve taken the opportunity to stop in the Azores for a crew change and let some nasty weather pass. Two of the delivery crew are boat sitting in Horta for a week enjoying the warm weather while I have returned to Toronto for some fundraising activities and corporate meetings.

I was previously booked to be the guest speaker at an event in Halifax on April 14th and felt that the timing was a bit too close to make the full delivery. The Open 60 delivery to Halifax will resume on April 17th from Horta and it should take about 12 days to reach Canada. From there, it will be on to Lake Ontario as planned for a full summer of corporate sailing and fundraising events.

We will have updates and position reports from the boat as much as possible.

Its always an honor to be nominated, but to be recognized with 3 awards is just spectacular. The editors of Practical Sailor have recognized our Inflatable PFD with HIT, Integrity Jacket and the Ocean Commander as 2008 Editor’s Choice products! We were the only company to win 3 awards and the only personal flotation device manufacturer to be recognized. This is quite a thrill for us.

Most sailing enthusiasts are familiar with Practical Sailor, but if you are not I’d encourage you to pick up a copy. For many years they have tested products from different manufacturers and rated them on their quality, function and value. I was pleasantly surprised at the Annapolis Boat Show at how many people knew the magazine and used it to make the decision to buy our products. We are really honored to win these awards.

A tough sailing day today with winds shifting in direction and strength, going from 12 knots up to 25 knots. So I have been spending a lot of time on deck putting in reefs and taking them out. Overall, making good progress towards the finish line. The two boats behind have been making good gains on me so that helps with my motivation as well to keep us sailing fast. Tonight is a dark, cold and dreary night with no stars to help out. I am only 100 miles from the Cape Finisterre shipping control lanes so Im keeping an eye on deck for ships.

More downwind sailing with full mainsail and Code O. There is between 12 and 15 knots of wind and we are almost making a direct course for the finish line. My prediction is for my finish sometime late Wednesday. I’m a little tired and de-motivated today from all the hand steering effort over the last few days but the hard work has paid off as I have gained some miles on Dee and Rich. Whenever I feel like this I just think of all the support for Spirit of Canada and those 5000 Spirit of Canada Team Members that have supported us and have their names on the side of the hull. Thank you each and every one of you; without your support, Spirit of Canada would not exist.

The wind is back which does wonders for my motivation. No wind is stressful. I’m really missing that genoa now though as we are going upwind in 10-12 knots. The boat is not fully powered up but moving along well at between 6 & 10 knots upwind. I have the gennaker and spinnaker at the ready, if ever we get some downwind work. The weather files show at least two more days of this light air and then possible some sailing directly towards Port La Foret and the finish.

It will be good to get this race over with and start working on the long list of improvements that we can make for the Vendee Globe. As I mentioned, this race has been a steep learning curve.

Otherwise, everything is fine on board. I have a leak in the ballast system that requires bailing about five buckets a day from the engine compartment, but otherwise we are ok.

Watch for a Daily Planet feature on Discovery Channel Canada.

Its hard to believe we are almost half way through December and the Hot Pink Inflatable PFD is starting to show up in stores! Danielle from The Harbour Chandler was happy to model hers for us. A list of dealers that have or will be offering it can be found on our website. If there’s someone on your shopping list who this would be perfect for, there could still be time to put one under the tree!