Brackett breaks Vic-Maui race record

In Norse mythology the valkyrie walks through the battlefield choosing who lives and who dies, selecting the best warriors to fight alongside Odin during Ragnarok.

In the Pacific Ocean the Valkyrie is a sailing yacht that traveled from Victoria, British Columbia to Maui, HI in record time on July 20.

Sailing for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Gavin Brackett of Orcas Island skippered the 52-foot vessel through the frigid waters of the annual Vic-Maui International Yacht Race in 8 days, 9 hours, 17 minutes and 56 seconds. The previous record holder was a yacht named Grand Illusion that raced in 2000; the Valkyrie beat it by completing the trek 17 hours faster.

White wins Whidbey Race Week

It took 10 years, between 50 and 60 crew members and five boats for Chris White to achieve his goal of winning Whidbey Island Race Week.

“The crew was just perfect,” said White. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

During a series of eight races that ran between July 10–15, White’s Martin 242 named “Crazy I’s” dominated over the five other sailboats in the division. Coming in first place for all eight races, White’s team tied with a Megles 24 sailboat named Mikey for having the most wins. White credits his crew’s sportsmanship for earning the team the honors of regatta champions.