Kingston Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Hosting Sailing at Montreal 1976 Games
July 23, 2026
This year, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games hosted in Montreal, Quebec. The majority of the ‘76 games took place in Montreal, with the sailing events being held in Kingston, Ontario at Portsmouth’s Olympic Harbour.
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, was originally constructed in 1969 and refurbished in 1974 for the ’76 Olympic Sailing events. Kingston was selected for the sailing events due to its proximity to Montreal and the optimal sailing and spectating conditions of the harbour. The sailing program took place from July 19th to July 27th, with the events being divided into six boat classes; Finn, 470, Flying Dutchman, Tornado, Tempest, and Soling Class.
Several activities will be organized August 11-15, during Sail Canada’s Youth Fest competition and CORK International, to commemorate that major international event which was held in Kingston, including:
Tuesday, August 11: Torch parade in Kingston
The Montreal 1976 torch (replica) will return to Kingston on Tuesday, August 11. The occasion will feature a commemorative parade that will include Canadian sailors who competed at the 1976 Games, other Olympians from Kingston as well as others.
Wednesday, August 12: Movie night outside of Portsmouth
The Portsmouth District Community Association will host a free outdoor movie screening under the stars at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Wednesday, August 12, beginning at 8:30 p.m. This year’s feature film will be Cool Runnings (1993), the story of Jamaica’s underdog Olympic bobsled team at the Calgary 1988 Games, starring John Candy. For more information; https://pdca.ca/.
Thursday, August 13: Heritage Tour about the Montreal 1976 Games in Kingston
This edition of “Heritage Hour” in Kingston will be dedicated to the sailing events of the 1976 Montreal Games in Kingston. It will be held at Memorial Hall, on the second floor of City Hall, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The presentation will include 1976 participants as athletes or in other capacities. “Heritage Hour” is an opportunity to discover Kingston’s rich history and to hear from speakers from across the community who will discuss the city’s past and living heritage. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome.
Friday, August 14: The Olympians’ Regatta
Featuring Canadian Olympians from multiple generations, the Olympian Regatta will showcase a remarkable depth of talent, experience, and competitive spirit. Medalists and non-medalists alike will take to the water for a friendly but spirited competition, creating an event that celebrates not only sailing excellence but also the friendships and connections forged through the sport. Olympians interested to be part of The Olympians’ Regatta can contact Patrick Godbout at patrick@sailing.ca.
Friday, August 14: Sail Canada 2026 Celebration of Sailing: Kingston 1976 Games Legacy
Sail Canada hosts the “Celebration of Sailing” event will be in Kingston, Ontario, on August 14, starting at 5pm at the Kingston Yacht Club. Reconnect with the Canadian Sailing Community and get your tickets now, as they are limited in number. The deadline to get tickets is August 1. Get yours now: https://members.sailcanada.org/2026celebrationofsailing.
Saturday, August 15: Community Exhibition at Portsmouth
A Community Exhibition will be held in the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour “Sailroom” on Saturday, August 15, from 1pm to 7pm.
People who experienced the Montreal 1976 Games will be able to share their memories, artifacts and photos by booking a sharing table at no cost at https://forms.gle/Xfx2qsU8egZ6EGee7.
Those who weren’t there in 1976 will be able to relive that international event held in Kingston through artifacts, videos, photos, and by talking with exhibitors.
These events are organized by Sail Canada and CORK / Sail Kingston, with the support of Tourism Kingston, the City of Kingston, Queen’s University, the Kingston Yacht Club, and the Portsmouth District Community Association.
