Sail Canada awards recognize event organizers

Sail Canada has named the recipients for their annual awards recognizing event organizers. The Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management is awarded to the club or association responsible for the best-managed regatta and The Recreation Event of the Year Award is awarded to an individual, club or association who has brought recognition to the sport of sailing.

National Yacht Club (Toronto, ONT), which hosted the 2014 Shark Class World Championships, was awarded the Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management. The award is annually given to the club or association responsible for the best-managed regatta.

With close to 50 boats from North America and Europe, the race management team was faced with challenging Toronto conditions ranging from light and variable to sturdy 18-20 knot days. Principle Race Officer, David Sprague led his race management team to complete all scheduled races, host clear pre-race skippers meetings, ensure the notice board was informative and up to date and maintain a strong on-water jury presence.

Greg Cockburn, Past President of the International Shark Class Association and 28 year Shark veteran: “the 2014 Shark Worlds certainly ranks as one of the best World Championship ever held by the Class. All elements of the on water and offshore activities were both well planned and executed with little left to chance.”

Keven Piper, 2014 Shark Worlds competitor, and 2014 World Champion: “The measurement team was outstanding, and had to make some difficult calls to ensure fair competition. The course management also showed foresight by getting good races in early in the regatta; the PRO and Jury amended the SI’s to ensure races were run with light winds expected.”

Recipient of the 2014 Recreation Award is GHYRA Regatta week. At the western end of Lake Ontario, the Golden Horseshoe Yacht Racing Association hosts an annual race week combining members and boats from eight clubs in Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Stoney Creek and Port Dalhousie. Over the course of the week eight races are run, varying in length, format and venue, always ending the day with a social event hosted by a different club. In 2014 along with title sponsors Volvo Cars of Canada and Gold Sponsor Helly Hansen GHYRA was able to collect $10,000 for the Wellspring Cancer Support Network in support of a former member suffering brain cancer.

“GHYRA is a family! It is simply a great gathering of people who like the comradery of sailing. The race week is more about fun racing with a different adventure each night after a day on the water. A must do for both racers and cruisers alike.” – Alex McMillin – Niagara 31′ “Maggie”

“The most fun on the water for a sailor! We participated in the 2014 GHYRA and can’t say enough about the organization, events, food and laughter for an outstanding week on the water in Lake Ontario. If you are looking for a well planned, fun and relaxing week with fellow sailors, be ready to register early for the 2015 event.” – Chris and Suzanne Cayley

Delegates from National Yacht Club and from the GHYRA will be in attendance to accept their awards at the Sail Canada Rolex Sailor of the Year Awards at the Carlu Toronto on February 6, 2015.