VICTORIA, British Columbia – Russ Cozens, Commodore of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, today announced the official countdown to the 63rd running of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race, to be held May 27-29, 2006 off Victoria’s waterfront.

One of the oldest and most prestigious offshore yacht races in the entire Pacific Rim, Swiftsure had its beginnings in 1930 pitting Victoria racing yachts against rivals from Vancouver and Seattle. Today’s Swiftsure event now attracts over 230 racers from those three cities, and from as far away as California, Alaska, and even Russia. Traditionally held on the US Memorial Day weekend, Swiftsure has blossomed into one of Victoria’s premier community events, filling the city to capacity with visitors from around the globe.

The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is one of North America’s most challenging overnight offshore competitions. The Juan de Fuca Strait’s daunting combination of occasional fog, unpredictable winds, strong tides and tricky currents tests seamanship, strategy, stamina, tactics and teamwork. Last year’s race was one of the fastest on record, with light winds freshening quickly after the start, retiring over 60 of the 238 yachts that crossed the starting line.

Winner of the long course, Rob Fleming’s Coruba finished within a mere 30 minutes of the all time course record set in 1996. New this year will be the addition of “transponder” technology, which will continuously monitor the position, course and speed of each yacht racing in the major races of Swiftsure. This event will mark the most extensive use of transponder technology ever deployed in yacht racing on this coast.