Kingston, ON – Sail Canada announced members of the 2017-18 National Sailing Team. 24 talented sailors were named to the National team this week based on the Sport Canada qualification carding criteria and overall performance during the 2016-17 season.* Members of the team branch into two squads – Performance (Top 12 World Championships/Olympic/Paralympic), and Next Gen (Development) Team.
Members of the National team receive funding through the Sport Canada living and training allowance program to help offset the costs related to their sport. Additionally, sailors receive tuition support for post-secondary education during their high performance career or following retirement. As national team member since 2009, Robert Davis recognizes the value of the National team support system. “At the start of the new quadrennial, there is a natural evolution of the National team membership,” adds Davis. “While some of our experienced Canadian sailors have moved on from high performance sailing, it is exciting to see some fresh young talent on the team. Sail Canada and the National team provides the foundation for the support needed to pursue sailing at the Olympic level.”
CEO, Don Adams is pleased to see a good mix of veterans and young talent on the new National team. “The first year of the quadrennial is most often a rebuilding year for many sports with the goal of developing our Next Gen performers for 2020 and beyond”, explains Adams. “Sail Canada is currently in the process of creating and implementing a high performance athlete development system with athlete pathways producing podium results and systematic development of national team athletes with consistent medal contention. Please join me in welcoming these talented sailors to the 2017-18 Canadian Sailing Team. We are very proud of these athletes and we continue to work with our athletes to build a culture of excellence.”
In 2017 the Team is proudly supported by Volvo Car Canada, Helly Hansen and the Government of Canada. Sail Canada would like thank them and all our supporters – Sport Canada, Own the Podium, Skippers’ Plan, Rolex Canada & North Country Marine.
Congratulations to the following members of the 2017-18 National Sailing Team:
Performance Squad
Brenda Bowskill – Whitby, ON – RCYC – Laser Radial
Tom Ramshaw – Toronto, ON – SLYC – Laser Radial
Paul Tingley – Halifax NS, RNSYS – Sonar Class
Scott Lutes – Montreal, QC – AQVA – Sonar Class
John McRoberts* – Victoria, BC – RVicYC – SKUD Class
Jackie Gay* – Victoria, BC, RVicYC – SKUD Class
Bruce Millar* – Victoria, BC – RvicYC – 2.4mR
Next Gen Squad
Robert Davis – Kingston, ON – KYC/RCYC – Laser
Erin Rafuse – Halifax, NS – RNSYS – 49erFX
Isabella Bertold* – Vancouver, BC – RVYC – Laser Radial
Sarah Douglas – Toronto, ON – ABYC – Laser Radial
Maura Dewey* – Victoria, BC – RvicYC – Laser Radial
Max Gallant* – Victoria, BC – RvicYC – Laser
Luke Ruitenberg – St. Margaret’s Bay, NS – Laser
Kyle Martin* – Vancouver, BC – RVYC – Finn
Justin Barnes – Toronto, ON – RCYC – 49er
Alexander Heinzemann – Vancouver, BC – RVYC – 49er
Gabriel Verrier-Paquette – Montreal, QC – CDVM – RSX Men
Coralie Vittecoq – Montreal, QC – HYC – Laser Radial
Pat Wilson – Kingston, ON – KYC – 49er/I420
Arie Moffat – Kingston, ON – KYC – 49er/I420
Georgia Lewin-Lafrance – Chester, NS – FX/I420
Ryan Wood* – West Vancouver, BC – RNSYS – 49er/29er
Andrew Wood* – West Vancouver, BC – RNSYS – 49er/29er
* Indicates athlete is a registered at the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific
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