Quebec Racers Edge out Competition at Mobility Cup 2012

by Wendy Zatylny on 21 Sep 2012 Last week's Mobility Cup, Canada's premier regatta for sailors with disabilities, ended on a soggy note, but it was smiles all around for athletes who had come from across Canada and as far away as California to compete at the 2012 edition of the Mobility Cup, held at the Nepean Sailing Club in Ottawa, Canada.

The top prize - the Mobility Cup itself - was won by Marc Villeneuve of Laval-des-Rapides, Quebec, who had held on to an early lead all week in the Gold Fleet. Second place was taken by Christine Lavallee of Gatineau, who also won the Debbie Donald Award for highest-placing female sailor. In the Silver fleet, top honours (the Coupe Dallaire) were taken by Patrick Leger of Montreal, while Brian Cuerrier of Belleville, Ontario took second place and Ralph Nolting of Ottawa came third. Gold fleet is for racers who can sail alone; Silver fleet is for those who require a companion.

Several other awards were also given out, many recognizing extraordinary levels of sportsmanship and dedication. Colin Smith of Middlebury, Vermont was awarded the Darren Tucker Sportsmanship Award, which, ' is given to the sailor demonstrating the greatest degree of tenacity and determination at each Mobility Cup,' while Ottawa's Ralph Nolting earned the Hamilton Port Authority Award for Determination in recognition of his performance throughout the week.

Full regatta results can be found at http://nsc.ca/web2/mobilitycup2012/results/.