March 29, 2011
2011 Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championship
As the song goes – See you in September – It may seem like a long way away but the Beneteau First 36.7 2011 North American Championship in Toronto September 8, 9, 10 and 11 is an event that should be in your calendar. Beneteau First 36.7s representing Quebec City, Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay, Kingston, Chicago, Detroit, Sarnia, Erie, PA, Buffalo, Rochester, Youngstown and other clubs on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have taken the charge to race in Toronto.
March 18, 2011
Announcing the 2011 Canadian Sailing Team
The Canadian Yachting Association is proud to announce the members of the 2011 Canadian Sailing Team. The team was established based on 2010 performance criteria found HERE. CYA also established a new national team structure that better defines a winning culture and more clearly delineates the way support is tailored to our sailors at various levels of development and international performance. The CST Podium team is established by elite level performance criteria and aligns with the Own the Podium program. The CST Senior Development team is determined by the CYA high performance staff based on ongoing international performances.
March 17, 2011
Van Isle 360 Yacht Race Announces TELUS as 2011 Title Sponsor
Organizers of the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race are pleased to announce TELUS as the new title sponsor of the 2011 event. The eighth edition of the race, which is now named the TELUS Van Isle 360, will take place from June 4 – 18. "We are very excited to welcome TELUS aboard", says Janine Bell, event manager, “and are looking forward to working with TELUS to ensure the best race to date."
March 3, 2011
Mano A Mano
Match-racing, at its best, is Mano a Mano – hand-to-hand combat. Match-racing here, in the Budget Marine Match-Racing Cup, run-up to the Heineken Regatta, takes that sort of intensity up a few notches. Some of the top racers in the world. No Wednesday night yacht club race, this. Races are on six Jeanneau Sunfast 20’s. Eight skippers. Each skipper races every other skipper. Each skipper races each of the six boats.
March 1, 2011
Halfway to Serious
The motto for the Heineken Regatta in Sint Maarten, now in its 31st year, is perfect in both conception and execution. And if the festivities so far are any indication, this year’s race series will be another exercise in 'Serious Fun.' They’re already halfway there. Ground zero is the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, a two-storey building right beside the lift bridge leading to Simpson Bay Lagoon. From the yacht club you can’t help but stare out at the fleet of megayachts moored and berthed in the lagoon.
March 1, 2011
Fred Eaton Highlights CYA Rolex Awards Night
The Rolex Canadian Sailor of the Year Awards Night can be summed up perfectly with the words of CYA President Gerry Giffin 'Not only did the evening truly honour our sport’s best, it showcased our sport, and Canadian Yachting Association. From the moment we walked in until the last person left, it was flawless. This was an evening to remember!'
February 15, 2011
Go, Kingston, Go!
If the sailing gods look fondly, the Kingston team's efforts to land the ISAF Worlds in 2014 will be a tremendous win for Canada and for the Americas. The awarding of this event will allow the foundation for building the sport that is needed so badly here. Jamie Fraser, Marianne Davis and Tim Irwin all are owed a huge vote of praise and thanks for creating such an impressive bid. We hope the very best for them and for all of us who want to see sailing grow.
January 26, 2011
Misters Consistency – Richard Clarke & Tyler Bjorn at Rolex Miami OCR with Magic Marine
January 25, 2011 (Miami, FL) – Richard Clarke and Tyler Bjorn (CAN) are considering renaming their Clarke/Bjorn Sailing Team to Misters Consistency during the 2011 Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, the only ISAF World Cup event in North America. The red-hot Canadians posted straight 6's during the first three races of the Grade 1 regatta. They were 8th in the fourth race. It is always difficult to stay at the top of a Star fleet, but with a fleet of 59 top gun teams from around the world fighting it out on Biscayne Bay staying in the top ten in every race and getting the same score is très rare!
January 26, 2011
Ocean changes unsettling to solo sailor
A Canadian sailing in a solo around-the-world race says he is disturbed by the "horrendous" conditions he has encountered in the southern oceans — including the near absence of large sea life. Derek Hatfield has rounded the planet alone twice before but this trip through the southern ocean has been a relentless stream of extreme storms and deepest calms.
January 19, 2011
Gill NA Selected Official Supplier To CYA and Canadian Sailing Team
We are pleased to announce GILL® has been selected as the official technical apparel supplier to the Canadian Yachting Association and the Canadian Sailing Team. GILL® will be supplying members of the Canadian Sailing Team with branded podium apparel and technical sailing gear. In addition to supplying the Canadian Sailing Team, CYA will be providing GILL® apparel to coaches and officials. The CYA's Executive Director, Paddy Boyd says "CYA is delighted to welcome Gill aboard.
November 11, 2010
2008 Mobility Cup
The 42 sailors who participated in August's Mobility Cup, held at the Pointe Claire Yacht Club near Montreal, may not have been expecting a galvanizing event. But that's precisely what it was for many of them. The experience was so motivating for Richard Dionne of Moncton, N.B., for instance, that he's vowed to train for the 2012 Paralympics in London.
November 11, 2010
Sharks Make a Splash on Lake Ontario
What does Ashbridge's Bay Yacht Club in Toronto have in common with the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Nepean Sailing Club, Britannia Yacht Club and Kelowna Yacht Club? Each has done a fabulous job of hosting the annual CYA Women's National Keelboat Championship. This event occurs annually and is open to yacht clubs across Canada that are willing and able to host the event. This year, from September 11-14, ABYC played host to 27 all-female teams of sailors racing on Sharks. A strong volunteer committee led by Janice Sharpe of ABYC organized this year's event that started off with a day of onshore and offshore training.
November 10, 2010
2008 Lake Ontario 300 – A Personal View
Saturday morning finally comes; I have been rolling and tossing all night with much anticipation for the annual Solmar Lake Ontario 300 race. I kiss my family goodbye and head for the club. However, as I near the entrance, I gasp at my first sight of the lake; actually, I gasped because I couldn't even see the lake. Thick fog just sat there; not even a whisper of wind to push it out of the way. As a member of the organizing committee, I start to panic.
November 10, 2010
Acura Key West 2008
Every year for one glorious week in January, sailors from all over the world gather in the laid back town of Florida's Key West. This year the event was host to 260 boats from 18 different countries. There were 16 fleets in total, eight of which were one design fleets with the likes of Farr 40's, Mumm 30's and the largest fleet in the regatta Melges 24's competing. The other classes were the Melges 32, J/105, J/80, Swan 42, and the Corsair 28R. There was also a large number of handicapped racing, as well PHRF fleets 1 through 6 and the IRC 1 and 2 had some fierce competition.
November 10, 2010
Serious Fun! St. Maarten Heineken Regatta ’08
So just what exactly qualifies as "serious fun" you ask? To truly experience "serious fun" you just have to have encountered it. And with the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, you only need to try it once and you'll be hooked.
November 4, 2010
Not Your Normal Regatta
Our boat heels and bow waves crash over her. She rides the waves like a rollercoaster gone berserk. Spray like shards of glass glitters in the tropical sunlight. "High side," yells the skipper, a seaman from Petit Martinique with the evocative name of Emmanuel Bethel. We scramble to starboard while "Savvy" overtakes another boat. It's stocky instead of graceful, solid instead of sleek. But it, too, slices the sea.
October 29, 2010
Vendee Globe… Countdown to the Start
Once in a lifetime, opportunities are sometimes easy to miss. I have been volunteering for Spirit of Canada for several years, so when I got the chance to go to the start of the Vendee Globe, I saw my chance and took it; missing this event wasn't an option.
October 21, 2010
Velux 5 Oceans – Day 3 and the harsh realities set in
A tough start to the 30,000-mile round the world race saw CSM's yacht Spartan cross the line in last place, plagued with minor breakages. But CSM, an experienced sailor fresh from leading a crew of 18 in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, has since settled into life at sea, clawing back miles on the rest of the fleet to move into second position.
October 18, 2010
Award recognizes impressive season of sailing
Sail Parry Sound coaches Andrew Parkes and Stephen Winkworth are the 2010 recipients of the Vic and Hazel Carpenter Award for Sailing Excellence. The award presented September 18 at Sail Parry Sound's annual general meeting, recognizes the pair's outstanding summer sailing season. After receiving the award, Parkes and Winkwork then went on to represent Sail Parry Sound at the prestigious CORK Fall Regatta September 25 and 26 in Kingston, where they had an impressive second place finish in the 420 class. They were first in two of the four races held on the Saturday.
October 18, 2010
Velux 5 Oceans – Five skippers begin the journey of a lifetime
Velux 5 Oceans – AND they're off! With the sun shining brightly and a fresh breeze blowing, the five international skippers in the Velux 5 Oceans blasted across the start line beginning a 30,000-mile adventure around the globe. It was the start of an epic voyage for the ocean racers, during which they will sail their 60ft Eco 60 yachts across five oceans through some of the best – and worst – conditions known to man. Thousands of people flocked to the Velux 5 Oceans race village in La Rochelle, France, to watch the brave men depart on their adventure.
August 10, 2010
‘Living the Dream’ at the Port Credit Boat Show!
Many of us just dream about sailing the clear, turquoise waters of the Bahamas or Caribbean. Many of this year's speakers have done just that and will share their experiences for seasoned boaters and those who are just starting to dream. From learning to sail, buying your first boat, taking the cruise, anchoring or heading the boat south for the winter or longer – the Port Credit- In-Water Boat Show 2010 has something for every boater. There are 19 seminars held over the 3 days.
August 10, 2010
Chester Race Week 2010 Gears Up
For those of you who are unable to be in Chester for Race Week, be sure to follow the excitement this week, starting tonight at the Rope Loft, in Chester, one of Mike Lovett's favourite bars. It is quiet now, just a few sailors rehashing last year's judges' decisions. And if you are lucky enough to be in Chester and to be racing here is some advice:
August 10, 2010
York Cup Match Race at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Great wind made for ideal conditions to run a double round robin, comprising 36 races, for the nine skippers competing for the Grade 3 York Cup Match Race at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on Saturday, August 7th. Hats off to Chris Cook, the PRO, for his expert race management over the weekend with course changes, square lines and perfectly timed races.
June 17, 2010
Atlantic Challenge 2010
This summer the sparkling blue waters of Georgian Bay will come alive with brightly coloured international flags flying from traditional French gigs as Midland welcomes the world to its shores for Atlantic Challenge Canada's (ACC) International Contest of Seamanship July 24-31. Centred in Southern Georgian Bay since 1992 this unique experiential education program has been teaching kids leadership and teamwork skills using the 38-foot boats.
May 31, 2010
Transatlantic Rally sets sail from Nanny Cay, Tortola, BVIs
Perfect conditions greeted the start of World Cruising Club's transatlantic sailing rally ARC Europe yesterday, as the fleet crossed the start line just off Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, at midday local time.
May 20, 2010
300 Sailors Attend US Sailing Safety At Sea Seminar
More than 300 sailors attend US Sailing Safety at Sea seminar in Toronto. A resounding success for the Royal Canadian Yacht Club! The last event of this kind in Toronto was almost 10 years ago; as such, a number of RCYC offshore racing enthusiasts, led by Carson Woods, took it upon themselves to organize what they believed was a much needed seminar for the Toronto, ON sailing and boating community; attendance at yesterday event exceeded their wildest dream yesterday when a large number of sailors simply showed up at the doors of the OISE auditorium, near the RCYC city-side facility to register for the event and boost participation to 300.
May 20, 2010
Diane Reid Enters 2011 Mini Transat 6.5
Diane Reid's first sail on her new Mini Transat 650 Ocean Racer announced that she is competing in the 2011 Mini Transat 6.50 (also known as the Transat 650). The Transat 650 is one of the largest participated offshore races in the world with upward of 100 boats.
May 20, 2010
Countdown to Lake Ontario 300
Attendance for this year's Lake Ontario 300 is well on its way to being another record-breaking year in more ways than one. To date there are 110 paid registrants, an increase of 25% from last year at this time. The total number of yachts competing last year was 172, which was a 35% increase from 2008. The LO300 has more than tripled in size over the last 5 years. Part of this increase is due to the addition of an exciting IRC division, a multi-hull division and a Single-handed division.
May 20, 2010
The Susan Hood Trophy Race – The Coolest Race on the Great Lakes
The coolest race on the Great Lakes is shaping up to be another great challenge in 2010. For some the challenge will be making it to the start line due to the low water levels on Lake Ontario, for others their challenge will be the unpredictable weather we are experiencing this Spring.
May 20, 2010
Hans Fogh Awarded Yachtsman of the Year
What a treat it was to attend the annual Yachtsman's Spring Thaw Luncheon on Friday April 23 at the Boulevard Club. The Port Credit Yacht Club was well represented with Commodore Peter Howells, Vice Commodore Fleet Don French and a dozen other members in attendance. The highlight of the luncheon is always the honouring of three members of the boating fraternity – this year the Environmental Award was presented to Geoff Hadrill of National Yacht Club, the Yachtsman of the Year for Power to Find Christiansen, founder of Bronte Harbour Marina, and most exciting – the Yachtsman of the Year for Sail to PCYC's own Hans Fogh! Hans is the patriarch of one of the three generation families at PCYC, with sons Morton and Thomas also being members and Grandson Marcus making his mark as an up and coming Optimist sailor in the PCYC Learn to Sail program.
November 22, 2009
CYA Appoints Curtis Florence CYA’s Rolex Sailor of the Year Award
Last night, during CYA's Annual General Meeting, Curtis Florence was appointed CYA’s Rolex Sailor of the Year Award during the Awards Dinner hosted by the Royal Canadian Yachting Club. Curtis’ two sons, Trey (16) and Jordan (12), were present to accept the award on behalf of their father. Curtis was able to make his gracious acceptance speech via SKYPE.
November 14, 2009
Paddy Boyd Joins CYA
On September 15, after an 18-month global search, the Canadian Yachting Association announced the official appointment of Paddy Boyd as Executive Director. Recently, Canadian Yachting sat down with Boyd at the association’s headquarters in Kingston, ON.
November 13, 2009
Canadian Yachting Launches Sail World Canada
The largest online marine news network in the world, Australia’s TetraMedia Marine Group, publishers of Sail-World.com, Powerboat-World.com and MarineBusiness-World.com has announced a strategic alliance with a major North American magazine publisher.