2015 Pan Am Games Trials - The heat is on!

by Sail Canada on 14 May 2015 July 10th marks the date of the Opening ceremonies of the 2015 Pan American Games, with the sailing competition kicking off only a few days later. Top Canadian sailors will have the opportunity to compete for Team Canada in the heart of Toronto.

Gearing up for the Games, sailors are still fighting to earn a berth for Toronto 2015. The annual “Icebreaker” Regatta stands as the final round of Pan Am trials for the Snipe, J24, Lightning and Hobie 16. The racing will be held Victoria Day weekend, at the Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club located in Humber Bay.

Among the many sailors contending for spots include Olympic and Paralympic medalists such as 2008 Paralympic gold medalist Paul Tingley and 1984 Olympic silver medalist Terry McLaughlin, both competing in the J24 class. Also competing in this four-person keelboat include Pan Am veterans, Peter Hall and Rossi Milev. With a long list of sailing accomplishments, Hall is striving to qualify and make his first Pan Am podium appearance since the 1987 Pan Am Games. Milev’s best showing at a Pan Am Games was in 2007 where he was awarded a bronze medal.

Contenders in the Snipe class include CST Laser sailor Evert McLaughlin, Harri Palm, and Jefferson Hall. In the Lightning class, familiar names include Larry MacDonald and CST sailor David Mori. MacDonald previously reached the podium at the 1999 Pan Am Games hosted in Winnipeg, and was awarded a bronze medal.

Daniel Borg, the favourite in the Hobie 16 class, was one of the proud members of the 2011 Pan Am Canadian Team, sailing to a seventh place finish.

In addition to the Pan Am trials, the TSCC will welcome the usual Canadian suspects to take on the Ice Breaker Regatta including the Laser, Radial, 49er, 49erFX, and 2.4mR.

From May 16th – 18th, join us at the Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club – Canadian Olympic Classes Regatta and annual Icebreaker to take in the action and find out who will sail for Team Canada this summer at Toronto 2015.