Only 2 days before the Paralympics kick off and the Canadians are well prepared! The sailing Canadian Paralympic Sailors team have arrived in Weymouth and had a few days to practice with their competition to get their boats completely tuned and ready to race. Team Leader Brian Todd sends in a report as of Sunday.

The rain stopped and the sun came out in Weymouth today, which set up for an excellent day of training. The Sonar, Skud and 2.4 all spent a full day on the water in one of the few remaining days to get the boat and rig tuned and ready for the Games.

Chester Race Week ended with glorious sun and good wind. The competitors were happy with the race management and the evening parties, which didn't start until 9:30 and were extremely well attended with 3 great local bands and wonderful Dark 'n Stormies at the bar. Sound like fun? Why not put it on your calendar for next year and come on down to Nova Scotia to enjoy the saltwater, great seafood, wonderful hospitality, and fabulous racing in Mahone Bay… a heck of a lot of sailors already do!

Two years ago, I interviewed Amy Minnikin and her mom, Paula, as they had just taken possession of a Ranger 28 that they named Ry’n Sun. They were given this boat by a friend and it was in pretty rough shape. After a lot of hard work and elbow grease, they boat started to come back to life, and the mom/daughter duo started to race together. Today, Amy has started to sail without mom, and has her own crew of dedicated, bright, young women (all between the ages of 15-17) who have banded together as a team to sail Ry’n Sun.

Heading into the last day here at Chester Race Week, there are some very exciting races for first place in both Distance Divisions and the Bravo 1 Division. Yesterday’s weather brought in cloud and sun, but very light winds, which some of the fleet found to be very challenging. However, the leaders always seem to rise to the top. Results heading in the final day of racing have many boats vying neck and neck for trophies and bragging rights.

Chester Race Week made a special announcement to the racers amassed in front of the Chester Yacht Club during the post race debriefing; competing in this year’s regatta were 10 Olympians and one Olympic coach. A loud yell of support and recognition was given by the competitors as the Olympians had their pictures taken in front of CYC. Many of the Olympians were at Chester organizing this big event and many were out there competing.

The 1976 Olympic Soling Team of Andreas Josenhans, Glen Dexter, and Sandy Macmillan, were well represented with Andreas as the Principal Race Officer, Sandy racing on Brilliance (J120), and Glen racing on Odyssey (Swan 57).

Day 2 at Chester Race week saw a nice 10-15 knot breeze in the morning and early afternoon. By the middle of the afternoon, a typical Nova Scotia weather system moved into place with fierce wind and torrential rain. However, the sailors took it all in stride and “weathered” the storm, albeit, coming into the clubhouse a little wet. Most race courses were able to get in at least one race and some three.

This regatta, brings generations of sailors and families together for the week. It is not uncommon to see 2 or 2 generations of sailors on the same boat with junior taking the helm.

Chester, Nova Scotia is once again home to the famous Chester Race Week, being held August 15-18. This race has been in existence for over 100 years, starting originally with fishermen’s sailboats. This year’s registrations are at a healthy 143 boats with the addition of another race course. In sailing circles Chester Race Week is one of the great regattas, full on racing, great parties and the prettiest scenery anywhere! Race Chairman John Curry opened the regatta proclaiming the early morning fog would clear and sure to his word the skies turned blue and a great day of racing took place. ”Conditions couldn’t have been better” said Curry who was on the alpha course, “after a very short delay a fresh southerly breeze came in and delivered a full day of racing”.

We had stronger winds today at 20-25 knots from the SW. Perfect sailing conditions. There was even a little sun 🙂 The courses further from shore have quite large waves in the afternoon as the current from the tide was opposing the wind direction. This made from some fantastic rides for the 470, Finn and Star racing. Tomorrow should be back to the typical 10-15 knot range with possible gusts to 18. The Laser and Radial fleets had a day off today.

CORK/Sail Kingston has been selected to host the 2013 Laser, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 North American Championships, July 24-28, 2013. The Laser, a Canadian designed dinghy, is the largest dinghy class in the world, with more than 200,000 boats built. Furthermore, both the men’s Laser and the women’s Laser Radial are Olympic class events. The event will attract sailors from all over North America, from youth participants in the Radial and 4.7 to members of the Canadian National Sailing Team. The event is also open to competitors from outside North America.

It's been a long time since Doug Hood, a member of the Port Credit Yacht Club in Mississauga (although Mississauga didn't even exist back then…) offered to dedicate a trophy for an offshore race rating based on a new rating. The year was 1955 and the trophy was named after his baby daughter Susan; the Susan Hood Trophy Race was born. Susan was at PCYC yesterday for a short visit and actually participated not too long ago.

Many of the trophies associated with this great event are older than the yachts and racers who line up on the start line; that is the beauty of sail boat racing.

As a now Honorary but long term member of ABYC, Patrick Lymburner was asked to say something about Jack Cameron, at the christening of the new mark/pin boat named in his honour. Pat was quick to point it that, 'It is not hard to think of the many whose lives were touched by this man, as his contribution to the Sport of Sailing is legendary.'

Jack was an International Judge whose career spanned many years and many World Championships. He was known for his great understanding of the rules and for his strict adherence to proper procedure.

The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the following Olympic and Paralympic sailors who will be nominated to the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee for inclusion on the 2012 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic team. The formal announcement took place at the Weymouth & Portland International Sailing Academy, home of the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Sailing venue.

The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the following Olympic and Paralympic sailors who will be nominated to the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee for inclusion on the 2012 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic team. The formal announcement took place at the Weymouth & Portland International Sailing Academy, home of the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Sailing venue.

Once again the offshore yacht-racing season on Lake Ontario is ready to kick off with the annual Susan Hood Trophy Race. Despite our warm spring weather, “The Coolest Race on the Lake” is really the coldest race on the lake! Over 100 yachts will converge on the Port Credit Yacht Club Friday June 1 to compete in the first of many offshore races on Lake Ontario. This race starts Friday night at 8:00 p.m. and is a 78-mile course that can take anywhere from 12 to 20 hours to finish, depending on the winds and the size of boat.

Two times in one month! Not a bad start to the year for the 2008 Paralympic Gold medallist Paul Tingley (RNSYS) who has already secured his own spot for the 2012 Paralympic Games. Paul's second place result at Miami OCR today will be his second trip to podium this month after winning the bronze medal at the 2012 IFDS World Championships in Port Charlotte, FL. Tingley attributes part of his success to his passion and dedication to the sport. 'I enjoy the game of chasing that invisible force of nature – the wind. It's addictive'.

The 104th Chicago Yacht Club (CYC) Race to Mackinac Notice and Conditions of Race (NOR) and Mackinac Safety Regulations (MSR) have now been released. These documents reflect a series of changes implemented by the committee to enhance the safety of the Race for all participants.

'The committee has been hard at work over the past six months in collaborating with naval architects, US Sailing’s offshore committee and other race organizers,' said Lou Sandoval race chairman.