July 25 2016

Hollandia wins the Defender Series for the 24th Canada’s Cup trials sailed on Lake Ontario in Toronto this past weekend. (#Canadascup #yearofthe8) www.canadascup.org . After six days of racing (two weekends of trials), neither boat had achieved a winning score, which resulted in racing an additional day to determine the winner – the first boat to score 14 points. The teams spared nothing to win this series – from tacking duals, luffing matching, hunting and even a collision. The series kept the sailors on their toes all weekend long. This made it very exciting for the over 100 spectator boats that came out to watch over the series.

“The series was very competitive and challenging. We had to win four consecutive races yesterday and today. We had many ups and downs including a midnight vigil for boat repairs. Our team never wavered in their commitment. Every time we practice or raced, we learn more about how to make the boat go fast. We have also developed a strong crew camaraderie and work ethic. We are looking forward to more hard work leading up to the Canada’s Cup in September. The team is excited to race against Yquem in September”, says Bryan Gooderham skipper of Hollandia.

N.b. 1.25 points were scored due to a penalty. They failed to avoid a collision at the start.

The Canada’s Cup, an America’s Cup style sailboat match-race competition, between Canada and the United States, attracts high performance sailors from across the region to compete in Great Lakes sailing excellence. Gefion, Hollandia and Layfayette partook in the 17 race round robin series of match-races, a one-on-one style of sailboat racing, to decide who will represent Canada in the 24th Canada’s Cup. This is the 120th anniversary of the Cup, begun in 1896. The last challenge was won by Canada in 2011. The US has won 13 times, Canada has won 10 times and is the current Defender.

The Canadian Defender Series is a two-part round robin elimination series in which the first yacht to win 14 points will become the official Defender for the Canada’s Cup Championship match series in September. Part one scores one point per win while part Two of the series will score double points per win. Hollandia scored 14.25 in the end and will take part in The 24th Canada’s Cup in September. www.canadascup.org

The Defender
Team Hollandia (RCYC) is skippered by Bryan Gooderham and crewed by Rob Emery, Will Gyles, Allan Megarry, Erwyn Naidoo, Jennifer Provan, Michael Rustom, Peter Wickwire, Mike Wolfs

Second Place
Team Lafayette(RCYC) is skippered by Terry McLaughlin and crewed by Dave Jarvis (main), Geoff Moore (primaries), Sandy Andrews(bow), Justin Barnes (pitman), Andrew McTavish (primaries) and Tony Bowman (primaries)

Third Place
Team Gefion (RCYC) is skippered by Richard Self crewed by Hugh Beaton tactician, Mike Malloy (trimmer), Mark Decelles (pitman) and Billy Gooderham (bow), Hamish Matthews and Taylor Self.