Canadians take on the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi

by Sail Canada on 27 Nov 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final Abu Dhabi is ready to rock on November 26 - 30th. With a maximum of 20 boats present across the 11 classes, the roster is stacked with outstanding sailors. The ten Olympic events will contest an opening series and a Medal Race with the kiteboard fleet using a short track format. Prize money will be awarded to the top three overall finishers in each of the Olympic events from a total prize purse of US$200,000.

Canada is represented in both the Laser and Radial with Lee Parkhill (RCYC) and Claire Merry (RCYC) ready to start racing this Thursday. Parkhill will battle hard against Worlds silver medallist Tom Burton (AUS) along with bronze medalist Nick Thompson (GBR). The Radial fleet also includes a few heavy hitters such as Belgium sailor Evi van Acker, and American Paige Railey, making her return to racing after missing the Santander Worlds due to injury.

Luke Ramsay and Nikola Girke (RVYC) will also take on the strong Nacra 17 fleet looking to build on their racing skills against the best cat sailors in the world including Volvo Ocean Race winner Franck Cammas (FRA) among other sailing legends in this hotly contested fleet. 'As a team we are improving on the things we have been working on these past few months, most of them process goals' says Vancouver native Girke. 'The Sailing World Cup Final concept is something that excites us and it will be a really exciting event. The competition will be fierce, not only because all the top sailors are there but also great that there is a prize purse for the winners'.

Opening ceremony will be held on Tuesday with racing commencing on Thursday at 12:00 local time. Champions will be decided following medal racing on Sunday November 30th.