Disabilities Don’t Keep These People from Racing Sailboats!

Rotary Mobility Cup 2011(http://www.mobilitycup2011.ca/) , jointly hosted by Royal Hamilton Yacht Club (RHYC) and Burlington Sailing and Boating Club (BS&BC), was a major success. Twenty Martin 16s were on the starting line for the Gold Fleet and twenty five for Silver fleet, as well as a separate fleet of eleven Access Liberty dinghies over the four days of racing from August 29th to September 2nd.

The Martin Gold Fleet was dominated by the sailors from AQVA out of Point Claire Yacht Club in Quebec, taking the top four overall results, with Pierre Richard taking first place overall honours for the Mobility Cup, with four firsts and four seconds in the four days of racing. Silver Fleet was won by Sara Cooper of DSA of Alberta with four firsts, two seconds and a 9th place drop race. Genevieve Wickham of Australia dominated the Access Liberty Fleet with seven firsts and five seconds. The Silver and Gold Fleets exchanged boats at noon, resulting in 96 “lifts” per day by the crew of dock volunteers to get the participants in and out of their boats. The sailors have a range of disabilities but most are normally confined to a wheelchair. Racing a Martin 16 is both a thrill and a passion for the participants.

There was representation from England, Holland, Australia, and the US (as far a way as San Fransisco, and the Chesapeake), and from Vancouver and Halifax and all points in between. Each boat, especially those in the Silver Fleet had a “companion” on board, who alternated on a daily basis to offer advice, and to be there if necessary. 

At the same time the Mobility Cup was being raced for in the West End of Hamilton Harbour, the 2.4 North American Championships were taking place in the East end of the Bay. The 2.4 was a mixed fleet that included a number of Able Sailors, and was dominated by Allan Leibel with seven firsts and two thirds after his drop races.

Reported to Boating Industry Canada Newsweek by Rob Mazza