Ramping up for 26th Mobility Cup

Published on July 26th, 2017

The 26th annual Mobility Cup has 33 registrants so far as it attracts top racers from across North America for the competition on September 11-15. Held over the years in many of Canada’s largest cities from Halifax to Vancouver, this is the first time the event will be held in Okanagan, British Columbia.

The Disabled Sailing Association’s Okanagan Branch has a strong history in growing disabled sailing in the Okanagan and has been integral in bringing the races to Kelowna for 2017. DSA has been offering sailing sessions since 1993 and run programs 5 days a week with 5 sailboats and certified instructors from May to September. They have been operating out of the Kelowna Yacht Club marina since 2009.

The Mobility Cup was started in Vancouver by Sam Sullivan, founder of the Disabled Sailing Association of BC. Since its inception in 1991, the legacy of the Mobility Cup regatta remains a vehicle for initiating new programs or supporting existing ones.

“Attending the Mobility Cup in Victoria in 2015, as a volunteer was such a great experience,” said says Larry Clark. “Now as Co-Chair of the Mobility Cup 2017 here in Kelowna, with our group of fantastic volunteers, I’m looking forward to making this Regatta an enjoyable event for the all the participants.”

The Canadian designed and built Martin 16 is a boat that allows racers with physical disabilities to leave their wheelchair or other mobility device and go sailing. It was designed by a team of people lead by Don Martin to be easily adapted for all kinds of abilities. The Martin 16 boats are shipped courtesy of CN Rail from across North America to each Mobility Cup.

With 16 Gold boats registered and 17 Silver boats registered the 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup is going to be a dynamic event with a week packed with races and evening activities. Out of the 33 registrants, 6 U.S. racers are coming from California, 1 from Vermont and 6 provinces are represented by Canadian racers who are booked from St. Johns Newfoundland to Victoria and many cities in between.

“Having been to five Mobility Cups from Montreal to Victoria, I know what a wonderful regatta this can be,” notes Tracy Delorme, Co-Chair – 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup committee. “We are very excited to bring this event to our community and share the experience with people here. Not only do we have racers coming from all over North America but we have volunteers coming from far-flung places as well.”

Event details: www.mobilitycup.com