Image: Competitors in the 2025 Van Isle 360° International Yacht Race. (CREDIT: Christopher Maier)
After being steered on a steady course for the last 15 years, the prestigious Canadian sailing race known as the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race is undergoing a helm change as the original organizers, the husband-and-wife team of Jeff and Sylvia Motley, are retiring. This year, the biennial Van Isle 360 will be run by Chris and Christa Maier at Black Wolf Racing. The Maiers last participated in the race in 2019 and have assisted as race officials in 2023 and 2025.
Speaking of the Motleys, “They built a masterpiece with a fantastic reputation,” said Chris Maier. “We’re so honored that Jeff and Sylvia have put their trust in us with their baby.”
For the 2027 race, Maier said there might be a few small refinements, but mostly, it will be about taking on the event’s immense logistical challenges. “Telegraph Cove is the smallest port of call during the race,” he added. “That will probably be the most anxious moment in ’27, when we’ll have 45 to 50 boats to park in one night, all of different lengths and arriving at different times. How will we fit them all in?”
Covering 580 nautical miles over a 14-day span, the Van Isle 360 course makes a counterclockwise circumnavigation of Vancouver Island off the British Columbia coast. The race begins and ends in the city of Nanaimo, BC, with stops along the way in the island towns of Comox, Campbell River, Sayward/Port Neville, Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, Winter Harbour, Ucluelet, and Victoria.
Next year’s race, to be held June 5–19, 2027, will be the 15th Van Isle 360 competition since it launched in 1999. Maier said he expects to have a “notice of race” ready to send out to participants by July 1, Canada Day, this year, providing more details about the 2027 contest.
For now, the Motleys will be acting as “mentors” to the Maiers during the transition to new leadership. “Jeff is particularly looking forward to being relieved of duties parking boats in Telegraph Cove,” Sylvia Motley wrote in her farewell statement to the next race participants.
“He’s not off the hook yet!” quipped Chris Maier. “I’m sure I’ll still need him standing behind me for guidance next year.”
