Defense Trials Complete for 24th Canada’s Cup

Toronto, ON (July 18, 2016) – The second and final stage of the Defender selection series for the 2016 Canada’s Cup came down to the final race where Team Hollandia, skippered by Bryan Gooderham, bested stage one leader Team Lafayette skippered by Terry McLaughlin to earn the right to represent Royal Canadian Yacht Club in the 24th edition of the event.

After three days of racing on July 15-17, the teams were deadlocked and needed one more race to settle the series. They returned to the course today, and after an even start in 12-14 knots, Hollandia held an edge on the first beat to round 52 seconds ahead at the first windward mark, growing the lead around the course to take the gun.

“The series was very competitive and challenging,” remarked Gooderham. “We had to win four consecutive races yesterday and today. We had many ups and downs including a midnight vigil for boat repairs. Our team never wavered in their commitment. Every time we practice or raced, we learn more about how to make the boat go fast. We have also developed a strong crew camaraderie and work ethic. We are looking forward to more hard work leading up to the Canada’s Cup in September. The team is excited to race against Yquem in September.”

Defender Hollandia will face Challenger Team Yquem (Youngstown Yacht Club) in the 2016 Canada’s Cup Championship series on September 10-14 in Toronto, ON.

Team Yquem is skppered by Adam Burns and crewed by Flipper Wehrheim, Eric Voss, Jimmy Carminati, Ryan Suitor, John Goller and Jason Suitor.

Team Hollandia is skippered by Gooderham and crewed by Rob Emery, Will Gyles, Allan Megarry, Erwyn Naidoo, Jennifer Provan, Michael Rustom, Peter Wickwire, Mike Wolfs

Event details – Defender trials – Challenger trials

About the 24th Canada’s Cup
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) hosts the ultimate of North American match racing sailing events, the 24th Canada’s Cup challenge and the 120th anniversary of the Cup. It is an historic event that celebrates excellence in sailing and the rivalry and comradery of Canadian and American sailors on the Great Lakes.

This year the event officially marks the revival of the historic, classic and much-admired International 8 Metre (8mR) class, but in its most modern and developed form, called the Modern 8mR. The return of the 8mR to the Canada’s Cup has been longed for by Canadian and American sailors who have kept the class vibrant and alive since 1954, the 8mR’s last challenge for the Cup.

In the summer of 2016, the Canada’s Cup, sailed in the Modern 8mR, celebrates tradition and glamour along with a modern hi-tech look in head-to-head, match-racing-style competition for yacht-racing excellence of the Great Lakes.

Toronto’s RCYC is the current holder and defender of the Canada’s Cup. The defender is the yacht club who won the previous Canada’s Cup while the challenger of record is the yacht club who officially issues the challenge for the next regatta in hopes to win the coveted Canada’s Cup.

The challenger for the 24th Canada’s Cup is the Sodus Bay Yacht Club from New York State. The trials, or qualification series, take place in July for both the Canadian and US teams. Gefion, Hollandia, and Lafayette are the Canadian contenders while Aluette, Natural, and Yquem 1 are the US contenders. The winners will compete in the 24th Canada’s Cup on September 10-14.

About Royal Canadian Yacht Club
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) offers both a down town city club and an island yacht club. The RCYC’s Olympic calibre sailing facilities hosted the 2015 Pan American Games. RCYC was founded in 1852 to serve both as a yachting recreational club and, in the British tradition, as an unofficial auxiliary of the Royal Navy in the defence of the waters of Lake Ontario. Two of the primary objectives of the club are to promote yacht architecture, building and sailing; and to promote excellence in competitive sailing.

About Sodus Bay Yacht Club
Sodus Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) was founded in 1893 on Great Sodus Bay on the south shore of Lake Ontario halfway between Rochester and Oswego NY. It has long been a favourite location for 8mR regattas and has hosted the World Championship as well as many North American Championships. It is a home port for both modern and classic 8mR’s and is leading the revival of interest in the class on the south shore of Lake Ontario.

Report by Event Media