Sail West 2024 wins Sail Canada Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management Award

Sail Canada announced today that the 2024 Sail West Regional Championships, hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, received the Sail Canada Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management Award for 2024.

The Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management Award recognizes the club or association responsible for the regatta with the best-managed races during the timeframe of the award year. The winner is selected on the basis of the quality of race management. In order to be eligible for the award, clubs or associations must be members in good standing with Sail Canada.

Nominations were evaluated based on a time period ranging from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

The 2024 Sail West Regional Championship was hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, June 22-23, 2024, during the Waves Regatta, an annual event held by the RVanYC that started in 1987 as a way to focus on youth development within the club. A total of 129 sailors took part in the event in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, 29er, Club 40 and Optimist classes.

The Race Committee team for the event delivered two days of quality racing for the competitors and racing was efficient, allowing sailors to maximize their time on the water and take advantage of the wind conditions. A total of five races were recorded for all classes, except for the ILCA 6 fleet, which completed four races.

National and Regional level certified Race Officers led the teams on each of the three race courses. Race Committee teams were made up of volunteers with varying levels of experience, providing numerous opportunities for development and learning. A number of individuals who had taken part in the Sail Canada Advanced Race Management Course held in Vancouver in 2023 were on the water supporting Sail West.

Competitors, coaches and club members were pleased to have a Sail Canada event return to Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and appreciated the efforts the Race Committee made in delivering quality racing.

"On behalf of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, let me say that we are delighted," said the Regatta Chairperson, John Culter. "The Sail Canada Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management Award is an important recognition of race management in Canada, and the volunteers and staff at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and Sail Canada are happy to be recognized for our efforts at Sail West 2024."

"The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has worked hard in recent years to raise the level of its racing programs," he added. "Training and certification of club and regional race officers has been a serious priority, and we are pleased to report that our volunteer numbers are steadily increasing."

"Thank you to Sail Canada for its support of Sail West. And a special thanks to event sponsor Helly Hansen, who helped raise the level of enjoyment for all our competitors."

More information on the Chisholm Trophy for Excellence in Race Management Award is available here.