The weather was cold – really cold – this past weekend at the Club 420 U.S. Midwinters held at the U.S. Sailing Center in Jansen Beach, Florida, but the competition was hot – really hot.
Sailing against stiff competition largely from the U.S. college ranks, Amy DesBrisay and Kate Thomas sailed hard in tough conditions but fell short of their goal of a top 50% of the fleet finish – a result that would have qualified them to sail in the World Youth Championships in Turkey this summer.
Amy and Kate were the only Canadian girls team to give qualifying a shot. They had a few good races in the top half of the fleet, including a 13th place, but unfortunately some less stellar races held them back from attaining their goal. But as lone Canadian girls, they can look at themselves proudly as trailblazers for other Canadian girls’ teams that, over the next few years, will follow them in trying to meet the very tough Canadian Youth Team qualification standards set by the Canadian Yachting Association.
Adam Taylor and Daniel Baker of the Lunenberg Yacht Club in Nova Scotia were the top Canadian team at the regatta, finishing 32nd in the fleet of 86 and, as such, Adam and Daniel are off to Turkey to represent Canada in the boys 420 class of the World Youth Championships. A huge congratulations to Adam and Dan.
Amy and Kate have trained with Adam and Dan in Nova Scotia. The boys also came to Kingston this past Summer to sail in the CORK regatta and they beat all comers including a contingent of Americans, a significant confidence booster for the talented duo. Adam and Dan will represent Canada well in Turkey and will be great ambassadors for their country.
For Amy and Kate, the Regatta was a good learning experience. They participated for the second time in this international regatta against some seriously good sailors from all across the States. They attended the Regatta with 3 other Ontario teams and two teams from Nova Scotia, all coached by Canadian Olympic team 470 sailor Oliver Bone. Oliver gave all of his charges great feedback and lots of encouragement, all of which contributed greatly to the experience. From a Club perspective, what the girls pick up from these experiences, they will be able to pass on to their fellow SLSC sailors in Summers to come.
Kudos to Amy and Kate for being such sailing adventurers. They have done our Club proud.