Virtual Finish Lines: The End of the Point Atkinson Drift at Southern Straits 2026

Southern Straits 2026 is almost here. We are ready for the 56th edition of this Easter classic. It is a race of endurance and skill. It is also a race of legendary frustrations. Every racer knows the story of Point Atkinson. You sail 100 miles only to stop dead. You see the lighthouse. You see the finish line. Then the wind vanishes.

We call it the "Point Atkinson Drift." It is the moment the current takes hold. You watch your GPS as you move backward. The fleet bunches up. Hours of hard work disappear in a flat calm. This year is different. We have a new tool in the kit. It is called World Sailing DR 25-01. With this new rule the Virtual Finish Line has changed dramatically.

What is DR 25-01?

World Sailing DR 25-01 (when we checked in, it was labelled DR 01-25 on the World Sailing site) is a big change. As a test rule - it is being examined for inclusion in the next rulebook. It changes the definitions surrounding the finish and start lines and effectively enables virtual Start and Finish Lines. We're going to focus on finish lines, because that's how Southern Straits is using the rule. It works similarly in principle for starts. This changing of definitions might seem simple, but if you recall from last year the hardworking team at West Vancouver Yacht Club (WVYC) had to apply to World Sailing to change the definitions to allow a similar change. 

This rule allows the WVYC to set a line in the sky. Well, in the GPS, technically. It is a coordinate-based finish. The race committee can now define a finish line using latitude and longitude. No more anchoring a mark off Point Atkinson and sending a gang of volunteers to keep watch overnight. We think this is exciting. It is very exciting for the fairness of the sport because DR 25-01 ensures the race ends where the wind actually blows, and not just where it's convenient to station a finishing team.

Ending the Point Atkinson Drift

The West Vancouver Yacht Club is an  innovative club. They know the pain of the drift. By invoking DR 25-01, the race committee has a new superpower. They can end the race before the "parking lot" forms.

When you read the Event Rules, you will see the rule invoked at ER 1.14.  The finish is then defined at ER 23.1.  Two marks are defined using coordinates and make up the line. The team also points out some buoys that are specifically not part of the finish line to help avoid confusion.

The Virtual Finish Line can be placed anywhere, but in this case it ends up South of Bowen Island. Importantly, it is just West of the lanes!  This means that there could be large merchant traffic out there departing or arriving from Vancouver. See our blog post on traffic separation schemes.  Don't confuse the big ships, cross and head north, away from the lanes and back towards West Van whilst you drop your sails.

There is lots of room on the finish line.  It's 1 nm long.

How Does the System Work?

Your boat carries a tracker. The WVYC team uses these trackers to verify your position and provide some infotainment.

When your tracker approaches the line, it will go into a high-accuracy mode.  Normally, when out on the race course, the tracker is sending updates  at a subdued rate measured in minutes.  In and around virtual starts or finishes, (or waypoints) the tracker is sending updates as rapidly as it can. The system will use those reports to determine precisely when the tracker crossed the line.  It is recorded instantly and passed to the team at WVYC. No more flashing a spotlight at a committee boat. No more shouting your sail number into the darkness. The system knows where you are. Now, there are other elements to what constitutes a finish (sailing the course, taking penalties, etc.) The system knows you've crossed; whether you've finished? That's for you to decide. If you need to go back to correct your finish, the system will capture that too.

The team at West Van will be monitoring the trackers all night.  Once you've crossed and you're well across (to avoid confusion) the race committee may reach out with some finish-related information via text message. See ER 23.4, and 23.5. 

Navigating the New Rules

DR 25-01 isn't just about the finish. It opens the door for virtual waypoints. This means "invisible buoys" in the middle of the Strait.

Because there is nothing to see here, it will be challenging to know when you've crossed the line.  The West Vancouver Yacht Club is setting the leading practice in the region for use of these innovative new rules. There are two things to notice.  The finish coordinates are precisely along a North South axis, and precisely one minute of latitude apart (by definition 1 nm). The longitude is on a first decimal of the minute. (123° 21.6’W).

This makes it easy to enter the coordinates. More importantly, you do not need to rely on the fat lines and scale of your chart plotter.  Yes, please, create a line on the chart. But that line should not be relied upon to determine your finish. The width of the line is hard to know, and the scaling of your 'ownship' symbol is often imperfect.  Instead, have a numerical coordinate displayed. As you head East the longitude will decrease. So, once you see a longitude reading 123° 21.5999’W you KNOW you've crossed.  The only thing left to account for is the difference between your GPS receiver's position and the tracker.  Always good to keep going a little bit further before flashing up the engine.

Conclusion

Southern Straits 2026 is going to be legendary. The Virtual Finish Line was well received last year and World Sailing DR 25-01 is the signal from World Sailing that they agree that this is where our sport is heading. The Point Atkinson Drift is the victim. Those of us who never mastered the technique are not too sad.

If you are racing this year, make sure your tech is ready. Make sure your crew understands the new line. Let's go racing. Let's finish with the wind in our sails. We look forward to seeing you at the West Vancouver Yacht Club.

Disclaimer: The safety information and advice shared in this article are for general guidance and information only. Every skipper and vessel operator is solely and ultimately responsible for the safety of their crew, boat, and decisions made on the water. All skippers must ensure they are fully informed, exercise their own judgment, and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and race rules. Readers should do their own research and consult with qualified professionals as needed, as situations on the water can vary widely and may require different actions.