Albacore Internationals Regatta

by Christine Short on 29 Jul 2011 The Albacore International Regatta returns to the waters of Lake Ontario on September 16 - 23, 2011, drawing top international sailors and Olympians from a variety of classes. This year, Canada hosts the 20th event of its kind held bi-annually at venues alternating between the United Kingdom and North America.



By simply planing back and forth on Canada's Muskoka Lakes, the late Bill Gooderham whet the appetites of cottage sailors for the Albacore in the early 60s. Fast forward to 2011 and the planing Albacore still has the same effect on sailors, though the Albacore has grown from 'cottage boat' to competitive class.
With over 8,100 boats worldwide the Albacore is clearly one of the most popular dinghies sailed today. It remains popular among recreational sailors as well as racers active in hotly competitive fleets. Loaded with features, the new and improved Albacore continues to embody quality workmanship and boasts a loyal and active fleet with strong class association support. Few centerboard sailboats available today are as versatile as the Albacore. Changes made to the design over the past 50 years have broadened its accessibility, making it more affordable and easier to manoeuvre, while keeping it a thrill to sail.

The class is especially strong in Ontario, in Hamilton, Toronto, Nepean, and Muskoka; as well as in other provinces such as Nova Scotia and British Columbia. The Toronto fleet boasts over 100 active boats and sails mainly in the city's Harbours and on Lake Ontario. The Toronto Friday night series starts 45-60 boats on the line every week in races held from early May through September. The Albacore has evolved from its humble beginnings to become a high-performance one-design boat raced across Canada.

Over 100 boats participated in the first Internationals hosted in 1971 by the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. In 2011 the Canadian Albacore Association has again partnered with RCYC to provide a world-class event. Additional hosts for the event include members of the local Toronto fleet at Mooredale Sailing Club, St. Jamestown Sailing Club, Westwood Sailing Club, the Outer Harbour Centreboard Club and the Toronto Island Sailing Club.

The Canadian Albacore Association welcomes you to join a fleet of over 70 boats for a lively week packed social activities and great racing. Join us to help CELEBRATE 40 years of International competition.

See you in Toronto !

For more information, please visit
http://albacore.org/intls