2024 WVYC-RNSA-NYC
Singlehand/Doublehand Regatta

June 1-2, 2024 

For almost 50 years, this Royal Naval Sailing Association two-day regatta is the test for all those sailors that enjoy the challenge of sailing solo across the Strait of Georgia to Nanaimo on Saturday, returning the next day. And now there is a doublehand division for couples and twosomes too. Moorage and a scrumptious dinner after the first day of racing,  at the Nanaimo Yacht Club, is included in the registration fee. There are prizes and presentations. The numerous trophies associated with this long standing regatta are presented in an awards night at WVYC in the fall.

A collaborative hosting effort by the West Vancouver Yacht Club and the Nanaimo Yacht Club. This is a VARC event.

Race Organizer: Bernie Yau
Email: [email protected]
  • Race Documents
  • Registration
  • Volunteers
    • Regatta Chair: Bernie Yau  
      Race Officer: Bernie Yau   
      Nanaimo Yacht Club:  Bill Jones (NYC Commodore), Rusty Kostka (Operations Manager),
      Nanaimo Moorage Helpers: Paul Steele, Fred & Carly Zdan
      Race Committee: Bernie Yau, Michael Hughes, James Nickason, Court Touwslager  
      Race Committee Boat: Capt. John Horton and crew on Delta Lifeboat  
      Markset: John Thomas, Dennis Say, Robert Rons   
      Protests: Rich Alban (Head Judge), Gord McKee (Club Judge), Bill Lutz (Club Judge)  
      Sheets, Results: Court Touwslager, Dale Stranaghan   
      PHRF Review: Jason Davies, Ian Lloyd 
      Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions: Ryan Cutting
      Boat Inspections: James Nickason  
      Coordinators: Alex Anglin, Kerry Phillips  
      Media: Alex Anglin  
      WVYC Moorage pre and post race: Jack O’Hara  
      Equipment Organization: Bev Parslow,  Michael Hughes  
      Prizes: Bernie Yau, Kerry Phillips  
      Sponsorships: Debra Stranaghan, Kerry Phillips  
      Trophies and Awards: Court Touwslager, Edward Karadontis   
      Awards Night Organizers: Court Touwslager, Bernie Yau  
      Awards Night Master of Ceremonies: Court Touwslager, Bernie Yau
  • Results
  • 2023 Trophies & Awards
    • 2023 AWARDS NIGHT PROGRAM
       
      OVERALL CORRECTED SUMMARY    
      STANDINGS   TROPHY WINNERS 
      1st Overall Corrected 
      Janet Stamper Memorial Trophy  
      MANANA - Trevor Salmon 
      2nd Overall Corrected 
      Kitsilano Marine Trophy  
      CINCO DE MAYO - Jason Davies 
      3rd Overall Corrected 
      Pacific Yachting White Ensign Trophy  
      SKYWALKER - Paul Thompson 
      1st Overall Corrected Ladies 
      RNSA Ladies Trophy 
      MATILDA - Anna Richley 
      1st Overall Corrected Multihulls 
      Canadian Forces Sailing Association Trophy 
      CHEEKEE MONKEY - Kim Alfreds 
      1st Overall Corrected, RNSA member
      John Hickman Memorial Trophy 
      BLUE MONDAY - Paul Wagner 
      1st Overall Corrected NFS Division
      Bryant Hollins Trophy  
      Trophy not awarded  
       1st Overall Corrected Old Salt 
      Pat Leslie "Old Salt" Trophy 
      EVANGELINE - Ben Sutton 
      1st Overall Corrected Ancient Mariner  
      Ancient Mariner Trophy 
      OASIS - Bob Jones 
      1st Overall Corrected Novice 
      Les Alfreds Memorial Jib Set Trophy 
      MATILDA - Anna Richley 
      1st Over the Line - 30' and under - Race 1 
      Windward Marine Trophy  
      MAST TRANSIT - Phil DeGeller 
      1st Over the Line - 30' and under - Race 2 
      Lever Arms Binnacle Trophy  
      LIVE WIRE - Nicholas Conti 
      1st Overall Elapsed 
      Sir Francis Chichester Memorial Trophy 
       MANANA - Trevor Salmon
      1st Overall Corrected - Total 3 boats 
      Team Trophy 
      Vancouver Rowing Club  
      Best Predicted Elapsed Time  
      (Prize)  
      C'EST VRAI - Ian Darling 
      DOUBLEHANDED DIVISION 1st Overall Corrected 
      John Walker and Sons Trophy 
      DOMINATRIX - Richard Steward 
      DOUBLEHANDED DIVISION 2nd Overall Corrected 
      Denis Wardell Trophy 
      MOONSHADOW - Stephen Snell  
      DOUBLEHANDED DIVISION 3rd Overall Corrected 
      Air Canada Trophy  
      HAIDA 26 - Dan Klinksgaard  
  • 2022 Trophies & Awards
    • OVERALL CORRECTED SUMMARY    
      STANDINGS   TROPHY WINNERS 
      1st Overall Corrected 
      Janet Stamper Memorial Trophy  
      Trevor Salmon 
      2nd Overall Corrected 
      Kitsilano Marine Trophy  
      Jason Vandergaag
      3rd Overall Corrected 
      Pacific Yachting White Ensign Trophy  
      Paul Doran 
      1st Overall Corrected Ladies 
      RNSA Ladies Trophy 
      Trophy not awarded
      1st Overall Corrected Multihulls 
      Canadian Forces Sailing Association Trophy 
      Trophy not awarded 
      1st Overall Corrected, RNSA member
      John Hickman Memorial Trophy 
      Paul Wagner 
      1st Overall Corrected NFS Division
      Bryant Hollins Trophy  
      Trophy not awarded  
      1st Overall Corrected Old Salt 
      Pat Leslie "Old Salt" Trophy 
      Trophy not awarded   
      1st Overall Corrected Ancient Mariner  
      Ancient Mariner Trophy 
      Paul Wagner
      1st Overall Corrected Novice 
      Les Alfreds Memorial Jib Set Trophy 
      Paul Doran 
      1st Over the Line - 30' and under - Race 1 
      Windward Marine Trophy  
      Phil DeGeller
      1st Over the Line - 30' and under - Race 2 
      Lever Arms Binnacle Trophy  
      Mardy Grossman
      1st Overall Elapsed 
      Sir Francis Chichester Memorial Trophy 
      Jason Vandergaag
      1st Overall Corrected - Total 3 boats 
      Team Trophy 
      Trophy not awarded 
      Best Predicted Elapsed Time  
      (Prize)  
      Carl Richardson


       
  • RNSA Single Handed Race History
    • The Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA) Single Handed Race History


      The B.C Squadron of the RNSA was inaugurated in 1972 with Commodore Leroy RCNR breaking out the RNSA burgee aboard HMCS Discovery.

      The newly formed executive, under Captain John Horton, quickly realized that RNSA should organise some events to be included in the local calendar. Searching through the RNSA annuls for ideas, single handed sailing quickly came to the fore. Looking at the local charts and the Gulf of Georgia immediately gave rise to planning a race that would start in Vancouver and cross the Strait and return.

      The idea of the single handed race was launched at the 1973 Vancouver Boat Show where RNSA had an impressive booth. Many local sailors quickly signed on with the race scheduled for early June. Soon however, a storm of protest started with some members of various yacht clubs believing sailing across the Strait - single handed – was dangerous!

      With its long single handed history of members who had raced across the Atlantic and sailed around the world the RNSA was surprised at this attitude, however to quell the critiques a fleet of 12 power boats was assembled to act as safety escort, one even carrying the RNSA doctor.

      We should remember Ken Reid from WVYC who fought hard against any criticism. He raced his own yacht “Huckleberry” in the event.

      And so on June 2, 1973 the first RNSA single handed race started off Dunderave Pier. The course lay to the Point Grey Buoy to a finish off Silva Bay. A wonderful dinner was held at the resort with return of the race the following day. Fifty three yachts had a glorious race with no accidents but lots of smiles. The race was established that weekend. Later in the year the awards were presented at a huge mess dinner held aboard HMCS Discovery.

      In 1974 RNSA Rear Commodore Sir Alex Rose, who himself had sailed single handed around the world, flew out from England as guest of honour for the race. The squadron was also honoured with the presence of the Lt. Governor of BC who kindly graced the dinner in Silva Bay.

      With the race now firmly entrenched, the entries grew to over 120 and in fact because of moorage restrictions, the race had to be limited to 120. Many of BC’s top sailors were now testing their skills without their usual crew aboard. Lol Killiam, Vladimir Plasvic, Garry Storch, Don Martin, Warwick Thompson and Pat Leslie were just a few and competition became intense.

      The course to Silva Bay continued for a few years but owing to the increased entries the resort could no longer support the race and so the course was changed to end at Snake Island with the dinner held in the Old Malispina Hotel.

      With the demise of the hotel, RNSA began a new partnership with the Nanaimo Yacht Club which provided moorage and made their clubhouse available for dinner and breakfast. This wonderful partnership continues to this day.

      In recent years the RNSA B.C. Squadron has suffered the passing of many of its members and, as its membership is restricted to those who have served in one of the commonwealth navies, the lower membership has required us to reach out for a partnership to assist in running the race.

      For many years the False Creek Yacht Club was a co-host and for all their support the RNSA is extremely grateful with special thanks to Court and Susan Touwslager who served as race chair and ensured smooth running of the event.

      Now West Vancouver Yacht Club has agreed to be the co-host. Perhaps the ghost of Ken Reid will ensure the RNSA single handed race will survive well into the future.

      --------

      Read the article "Traditions and Change" in North Sails
  • Media
    • Read the 2022 article published in North Sails HERE
      Read the 2023 article published in Pacific Yachting HERE & HERE
  • Photos
2023 WVYC-RNSA-NYC Race
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