History of the Cadillac Van Isle 360° International Yacht Race

The first organized yacht race around Vancouver Island was developed in 1986 by a couple of long haired, bearded multihull sailors; Wayne Gorrie, the current race director of the Cadillac Van Isle 360°, and Steve Knight from Okanagan Spring Brewery. In those days the event, co-sponsored by the Coast Hotels and the Anchorage Marina, was known as the "Coast Hotels Around the Island Race". The venue was very similar to today's Cadillac Van Isle 360° except that it took place over eight legs instead of ten. Yachts were also encouraged to seek sponsorship and Wayne Gorrie's catamaran 'Solar Heat' was sponsored by the General Motors dealer 'Tom Harris Chevrolet Cadillac'. Twenty five boats signed up for the event, which had an entry fee of $1,000, but the starting gun was never fired. Unfortunately sponsored yachting was frowned upon in Canada in those days and the event was forced to cancel.

Fast forward to 1999 and the Cadillac Van Isle 360° International Yacht Race is born. This first year the fledgling event, billed as the "Ambassador's Edition", attracted a remarkable 14 boats. The Ambassador's Edition was intended to be just a trial run to test the course and determine if the venue, a race around Vancouver Island done in stages and on a timetable, was really possible………. It was a huge success!!!!!

The race ran for three consecutive years, each year attracting more and more boats, media attention and supporters. Following the 2001 race, the organizing authority, needing a break, made the decision to run the event every other year on the odd year, off setting the Vic Maui race. The next race, 2003, was a banner year, attracting a record number of entries and selling out by early January. The Canadian Navy offered support vessels, new course records were set and television and movie crews followed the entire race.

Now in its sixth year the Cadillac Van Isle 360° has grown into one of the most respected and exciting yacht races on the entire west coast, with international media coverage, heart stopping drama and superb racing action.

The Coast Hotels & Resorts and the Anchorage Marina, are still major sponsors of the race and Cadillac, who was brought to the event through the Tom Harris Chevrolet, Cadillac connection, is proud to remain the Title Sponsor of this exciting international yacht race.