Sail Nova Scotia Evening of Excellence and Fundraising

Nov 29, 2023

Bill Haliburton was the high bidder of the first four Premium tickets for the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix Halifax. He is flanked by Canada SailGP Team sailors Jareese Finch (L) and Billy Gooderham (R) – both now call Halifax home.

The Nova Scotia sailing and boating community from across the province gathered Friday evening (November 17) at the Atlantica Hotel in Halifax to celebrate what was a great year for sailing and boating.

Two hundred guests enjoyed a great meal, and bid on some fantastic auction items such as the first 4 tickets to the Rockwool Canadian Sail Grand Prix to be held in June, a fantastic Chester Race Week package, and much, much more. We were pleased to welcome Jareese Finch and Billy Gooderham from the CAN SailGP Team. Both recently moved to Halifax.

Award recipients were:

Sailor of the Year: Peter Wickwire, Chester Yacht Club & Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron

Sail NS Board member Mike Carey presents the Female Athlete of the Year Award to Georgia and Antonia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester Yacht Club & Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron

Female Sailors of the Year: Georgia & Antonia Lewin-LaFrance, Chester Yacht Club & Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron

Male Sailor of the Year: Matthew Stokes, Bras d’Or Yacht Club

Brian Todd Youth Sailors of the Year: Sullivan Nakatsu, RNSYS; Johanna Pickart, RNSYS & Becca Driscoll, Chester Yacht Club

Race Official of the Year: Paula Minnikin, RNSYS

Instructor of the Year: Gabe Sutherland, Ben Eoin Yacht Club

President’s Award: Kim Johnson, Chester Yacht Club

Offshore Sailor of the Year, Ray Rhinelander from Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, celebrates with the crew of Bella J

Hal Davies Offshore Sailor: Ray Rhinelander, RNSYS

Coach of the Year: Stephen Waldie, Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic & Sail Nova Scotia

Volunteers of the Year: Gill Graves & Karen Gordon, Lunenburg Yacht Club

Regatta of the Year: 2023 Bay Wind / Sail East Regatta, St. Margaret Sailing Club

WOW! Women on Water: Val Doan, LaHave River Yacht Club

Paul Tingley Perseverance Award: Tim Woodford, Bras d’Or Yacht Club

Legacy Fund Award: Ryan Anderson, RNSYS

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