2015 Pan American Games – Jockeying for podium positions

by Sail Canada on 20 Jul 2015 2015 Pan American Games – It was a wet final day of preliminary races at the RCYC Pan Am sailing venue. The weather did not dampen the Panamania with sailors jockeying for podium positions ahead of the pinnacle medal races on Saturday and Sunday.

Lee Parkhill rounds out his strong opening series today with 4, 2 moving up to the third place position. “I’m pleased with my sailing this week,” Parkhill explains. “This event has been my most consistent performance of the year. It’s all on the line tomorrow.” The battle on the Laser course will be intense as the preliminary scores have GUA on 33 points, followed by BRA with 37 points and Lee Parkhill of Canada third on 41 points. Charlie Buckingham (USA) rounds out the top four with 43 points, setting things up for exciting double points Medal race tomorrow.

All Olympic classes will sail the medal race tomorrow while Pan Am boats will have their opportunity to shine on Sunday. Brenda Bowskill (Radial) and Zac Plavsic (RSX:M) have also qualified for the final showdown tomorrow. “I didn’t have my best regatta, but I am happy I do have the opportunity to sail in the medal race tomorrow,” says Bowskill. “I have a lot of family and friends out on the water and shore cheering me on. I’m looking forward to sailing in front of my hometown tomorrow.”

The medal course area is tucked up against the Toronto waterfront in close viewing distance to the newly minted Sugar Beach with live commentary and media coverage. Tentative start time for the Radial fleet is 1135am, Laser fleet 1230 pm, and RSX at 1505. Medal Ceremonies are scheduled immediately post racing on Sugar Beach.

For Sunday’s medal racing, Canada will be well represented in all Pan Am fleets with Luke Ramsay leading the Sunfish class, and McLaughlin/Andrews/Jarvis/Ogden in second place in the J24. Canadian Hobie team Borg/Giovando are also in contention for a medal in fourth.

Canadian Unofficial Results – Day six

Sunfish: Luke Ramsay – First – Medal Race Sunday
J24 - T McLaughlin/Jarvis/Ogden/Andrews – Second – Medal Race Sunday
Laser: Lee Parkhill – Third – Medal Race Saturday
RSX:M : Zac Plavsic – Fifth – Medal Race Saturday
Snipe - E McLaughlin/Strnad - Fifth – Medal Race Sunday
Radial: Brenda Bowskill – Eighth tied – Medal Race Saturday
Hobie 16: Borg/Giovando - Fourth – Medal Race Sunday
Lightning - Allen/Deakin/Leger - Fifth – Medal Race Sunday
RS:W: Nikola Girke - Sixth
49erFX: Rafuse/Boyd - Sixth