2015 Pan American Games Trials - Weekend round up

by Sail Canada on 20 May 2015 Seven classes and over 90 boats sailed at the Canadian Olympic Icebreakers Regatta hosted by TSSC in Toronto this weekend featuring the main attraction - 2015 Pan Am Games qualification.

The stage was set for an exciting three days of racing for the Pan Am fleets along with Olympic and Paralympic classes. Eleven sailors would ultimately earn Pan Am spots in the J24, Lightning, Snipe and Hobie 16 classes.

Saturday's forecast shortened the regatta to a two-day qualifier putting the pressure on race management to load up the schedule for the following day. Fortunately Sunday produced the best breeze of the event, enabling race management teams to execute multiple races across on all three courses and ultimately divide the 'good' versus the 'great'.

Heading into Monday of the May long weekend, the top boats in each fleet were only separated by a handful of points setting the scene for triumphs and upsets on the pinnacle day. The forecast was predicted to deliver some action yet mother nature changed her plans leaving sailors afloat all day on Alpha and Bravo courses. Top contenders in the Hobie 16, Dan Borg and crew Liana Giovando secured their title with a three point advantage over second placed team led by Nicholas Leibel. 2.4mR's were also sailing on Alpha course with Bruce Millar sailing in tip top shape to capture the win against Allan Leibel.

Monday madness ensued on Charlie course with the majority of Pan Am boats nervously scurrying around this race course with their eyes set on the prize. Just enough breeze developed to send the fleets off the line just ahead of the time-limit. Heading into the final race of the J24's, Rossi Milev led Terry McLaughlin by six points, needing to hang onto the lead for just one more race. McLaughlin ultimately out-sailed Milev, leading him throughout the entire race and stretching it out far enough to clinch the extra point and strip the lead away from Milev. McLaughlin and his Three-man crew David Jarvis, David Ogden and Sandi Andrews are now able to breath a sigh of relief celebrate their hard earned berth. For McLaughlin, this event marks 41 years since the previous Pan Am Trials he won in the Lightning class.

Evert McLaughlin, son of Terry McLaughlin, dominated his event in the two - person Snipe boat with crew Alexandra Damley-Strnad. McLaughlin captured the win with ease and will enjoy his first Major Games appearance in a special way, alongside his father, Olympian Terry McLaughlin.

The final onwater battle of the day ensued with Lightning favorite Larry MacDonald (BCC) leading going into the final and only race of the day. Jamie Allen's (BYC) team sat two points behind Larry and pulled out the race win securing the overall title on a tiebreaker. Allen's crew includes Jay Deakin and 2004 Olympian Chantal Leger.

Behind the scenes and off the water, Toronto 2015 support teams were busy taking advantage of the opportunity to test their systems, protocols and train hard working volunteers from surrounding clubs in preparation for the big show in July.

The IceBreaker regatta marks the final qualifier for sailing at the 2015 Pan Am Games, adding 11 new team members to be officially nominated to the Canadian Pan Am Team. A formal team announcement, including the full team roster, will be issued on Friday, May 22nd in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee.