Meet our Olympians: Will Jones and Evan DePaul – 49er

June 10, 2021

William Jones and Evan DePaul claimed Canada’s Olympic spot in the 49er by being the top Canadian team at the 2020 World Championships for the class. A highlight in their history together was winning the 2017 World Junior title on home waters in Kingston, Ontario.

The pair is self-driven to work and train hard in this very tough fleet. Sailing the skiff is hard work in itself making the 49er perhaps the most challenging Olympic class.

Early in his career, DePaul raced C420s, becoming a top three youth sailor in Canada. He was drawn to the 49er because of the technical aspects involved and the sailing skill required.

A Burlington native, Evan, day-sailed his parents’ keelboat at Royal Hamilton YC as a child… Joined a summer sailing program in 2010 at age 14. Wanted to quit after his first week of sailing camp but his dad made him stick with it for the two weeks he had signed up for and he ended up enjoying it so much he went back the next summer, then did youth camp at RCYC in Toronto.

Will Jones from Jerseyville ON first started racing C420s out of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club in 2008 at the age of 13. The next two years he joined the Ontario Sailing Development Team and competed in local Ontario regattas as well as some US championships in the C420.

In 2012 he changed classes to the Laser Radial and as part of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron he competed in National and Continental level regattas until 2014. Attracted by the challenge and excitement of the skiff class, William teamed up with Evan in the 49erFX in the summer of 2015 then to the 49er in 2016. Alongside Olympic class sailing, William sailed many regattas for the Queen’s Sailing Team in C420s and keelboats. During his time on the team, William contributed to multiple National Championship wins and ultimately the 1st place at the 2016 Student Yachting World Cup in La Rochelle, France.

Evan says the longer-term plan is to do well in Tokyo then medal in 2024!