2011 MLA Muskoka Inter-Club Youth Sailing Championship - Aphrodite Cup

by Michael Hart on 8 Aug 2011 The 2011 MLA Muskoka Inter-Club Youth Sailing Championship - Aphrodite Cup was held at the Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club on Lake Rosseau on July 26, 2011.

This youth sailing championship has a long history in Muskoka and has recently been revitalized by the MLA Muskoka Sailing Network of clubs. Six racing teams attending, competing for the coveted Aphrodite Cup. The clubs who participated were Lake of Bays Sailing Club(LBSC), Lake Joe Yacht Club (LJYC), Kettles, Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club (MLGCC), Sail Parry Sound (SPS) and South Muskoka Sailing School (SMSS).

The students (ages 10-16) had an excellent day of racing in 15-20 kph winds. Lots of fast racing action in the Club 420 sailboat, a 2-person dinghy used my most Ontario sailing schools. We had a few capsizes, tight mark roundings and lots of teams hoisting their spinnakers to get maximum performance from their boat. The Race Committee, managed by MLGCC instructors Lisa Foley and Spencer Hawtin got off 5 races during the day. Each boat was allowed to drop their worst finish, counting the best 4 races for the overall scoring. All clubs were scored as a combined team to create overall sailing school placing. Racing 3 boats per club, gave us an exciting 18 boat fleet.

Racing Results:

1st place (Gold Medal): Sail Parry Sound
Grant Kavanagh, Clark Schultz, Julia Pitcher, James Hampson, Kayla Simmons & James Titterington. Race coach: Ryan Cavananaugh.

2nd place (Silver Medal): South Muskoka Sailing School
Parker Phillips, Alex Loe, Ryan Lind, Oliver Triskan, Aleda Roberts & Mary Burt. Race coach: Kirsty Lind & Sarah Hannay

3rd place (Bronze Medal): Kettles Sailing Club
Alex Benson, Luke Fenton, Rachel Fenton, Chris Anderson, Ian Christie, Elliott Black, Lindsay Carson & Ben Elliott. Race Coaches: Brendan Horan, Carter Comish, Rob Christie.

Honourable mention:

Lake Joseph Yacht Club
Jack Caylor, Jocelyn Nullmeyer, Nadia Munk, Kaye Sutherland, Budgette Mingay, Sam Foley & Tom Black. Race coaches: Logan Carter & Ken Benson

Lake of Bays Sailing Club
Laura Thompson, Alexa Fenton, Colin Armstrong, Hillary Newediuk, Lesli Ransom & Andrew Court. Race coach: Marshall Peebles.

Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club
Claire Gallagher, Emma Grant, Sam King, Brittany Niblett, Jordyn Ross, Nick Wellner, Nikole Benson, Conner Gallagher, Matt Herrman, Taylor Ross, Carter Burges. Race coaches Spencer Hawtin & Lisa Foley.

Although this was a team scoring event, we have some terrific racers that consistently were leading the fleet. Top individual performances:

1st overall: Grant Kavanagh, Clark Schultz from SPS
2nd overall: Alex Loe, Parker Phillips from SMSC
3rd overall: Alex Benson, Luke Fenton from Kettles

The MLA Marine Team provided safety assistance on the race course and Race Committee support. The MLA also provided awards for the competitors, including a brand new Aphrodite Cup trophy, presented by Michael Hart, Chairman MLA Muskoka Sailing Network. MLGCC hosted an excellent BBQ and provided much need cold drinks for the kids.

Our special thanks to the host Trevor Noonan and Lisa Foley and their team at MLGCC. Congratulations from the MLA to all the sailors for a great day of racing. Photos and more information are available at www.mla.on.ca (Sailing tab) or from the MLA Sailing Office at sailing@mla.on.ca