Canada names 2017-18 Sailing Team

Kingston, ON (July 18, 2017) – Sail Canada has announced the members of the 2017-18 National Sailing Team, with 24 talented sailors named based on the Sport Canada qualification carding criteria and overall performance during the 2016-17 season.*

Members of the team branch into two squads – Performance (Top 12 World Championships/Olympic/Paralympic), and Next Gen (Development) Team.

“At the start of the new quadrennial, there is a natural evolution of the National team membership,” said Robert Davis, a national team member since 2009. “While some of our experienced Canadian sailors have moved on from high performance sailing, it is exciting to see some fresh young talent on the team. Sail Canada and the National team provides the foundation for the support needed to pursue sailing at the Olympic level.”

Members of the National team receive funding through the Sport Canada living and training allowance program to help offset the costs related to their sport. Additionally, sailors receive tuition support for post-secondary education during their high performance career or following retirement.

“The first year of the quadrennial is most often a rebuilding year for many sports with the goal of developing our Next Gen performers for 2020 and beyond,” explains Don Adams, CEO of Sail Canada. “We are currently in the process of creating and implementing a high performance athlete development system with athlete pathways producing podium results and systematic development of national team athletes with consistent medal contention. We are very proud of these athletes and we continue to work with our athletes to build a culture of excellence.”

In 2017 the Team is supported by Volvo Car Canada, Helly Hansen, and the Government of Canada. Additional support comes from Sport Canada, Own the Podium, Skippers’ Plan, Rolex Canada & North Country Marine.

2017-18 National Sailing Team:

Performance Squad
Brenda Bowskill – Whitby, ON – RCYC – Laser Radial
Tom Ramshaw – Toronto, ON – SLYC – FInn
Paul Tingley- Halifax NS, RNSYS – Sonar Class
Scott Lutes – Montreal, QC – AQVA – Sonar Class
John McRoberts – Victoria, BC – RVicYC – SKUD Class
Jackie Gay – Victoria, BC, RVicYC – SKUD Class
Bruce Millar – Victoria, BC – RvicYC – 2.4mR

Next Gen Squad
Robert Davis – Kingston, ON – KYC/RCYC – Laser
Erin Rafuse – Halifax, NS – RNSYS – 49erFX
Isabella Bertold – Vancouver, BC – RVYC – Laser Radial
Sarah Douglas – Toronto, ON – ABYC – Laser Radial
Maura Dewey – Victoria, BC – RvicYC – Laser Radial
Max Gallant – Victoria, BC – RvicYC – Laser
Luke Ruitenberg – St. Margaret’s Bay, NS – Laser
Kyle Martin – Vancouver, BC – RVYC – Finn
Justin Barnes – Toronto, ON – RCYC – 49er
Alexander Heinzemann – Vancouver, BC – RVYC – 49er
Gabriel Verrier-Paquette – Montreal, QC – CDVM – RSX Men
Coralie Vittecoq – Montreal, QC – HYC – Laser Radial
Pat Wilson – Kingston, ON – KYC – 49er/I420
Arie Moffat – Kingston, ON – KYC – 49er/I420
Georgia Lewin-Lafrance – Chester, NS – FX/I420
Ryan Wood – West Vancouver, BC – RNSYS – 49er/29er
Andrew Wood – West Vancouver, BC – RNSYS – 49er/29er

*Subject to ongoing appeal that may result in a minor change to the makeup of the team.

Source: Sail Canada