ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships - Canadian coaching team

by Sail Canada on 31 May 2014 Sail Canada is pleased to announce the following coaches selected to mentor six youth sailors representing Canada at the ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships in Tavira, Portugal in July.

Team Manager - Chris Cook:

This is the second Youth Worlds team that Chris has managed for Sail Canada. For nearly two years Chris has overseen youth development in Canada including talent identification, coach development and long term youth strategies. In addition to this role he is also the team development coach currently working with the Radial and Finn Classes. With thirteen years of experience as a National Team member and eight years of coaching experience, Chris has been diligently working on synchronizing youth development across the country. Although Chris will not be attending the Youth Worlds in July he will be filling in for Agustin at the Yacht Squadron.

Team Leader - Agustin Ferrario:

This event will be Agustin's third Youth Worlds as a coach and second as Team Leader. Agustin brings with him a wealth of experience directly related to the youth sailing. 'Coaching at the Youth Worlds is unlike any other regatta, 'says Agustin. 'Much of the coaching is done on shore so preparation is very important.' Agustin's attention to detail and commitment to excellence in youth sailing makes him the natural choice as the Canadian Team Leader. Agustin is employed as a full time team coach for Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. Sail Canada and the 2014 Youth Team sends our thanks to the Yacht Squadron and Agustin for his continued involvement in this event.

Team Coach - Dominique Vallée:

A past National Team windsurfer, Dominique possesses the windsurfing knowledge one would expect to find in the elite levels of this sport. Over the past three years Dominique has worked with our Canadian windsurfers to promote a sense of team, dedication, as well as fostering the importance of training with other international windsurfers. Like Agustin, Dominique has a great deal of passion for youth development of windsurfing in Canada. Currently Dominique is employed by Voile Quebec. Sail Canada is grateful for her participation as a Youth Worlds coach and proud to announce her as a part of the coaching team for 2014.

Team Coach - Chris Cowan:

Chris has been working as a coach and head instructor for Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for the past five years. Chris' passion and excitement for the sport is illustrated through his work ethic and desire for his athletes success. Over the past year and a half, Chris has engaged with Sail Canada's coaching staff as well as other peer coaches from across the country and abroad to grow his understanding of the sport and develop is skills as a high performance coach. We are very pleased to see Chris accept this challenge of coaching at the Youth Worlds. Sail Canada would like to thank Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for accommodating Chris' attendance as a coach. We would also like to recognize BC Sailing and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for the incredible work done over the past year, developing athletes and programs to raise the level of our Youth Sailors.

Canadian Roster:

RSX Boy – Gabriel Verrier-Paquette (CVDM)
RSX Girl – Fannie De Alcala (CVDM)
Laser Radial Girl: Ellie Shaw Ungar (RVYC)
Laser Radial Boy: Graham Harney (RVYC)
29er – Andrew Wood and Ryan Wood (RVYC)