Local sailors dominate

Photo: Sonya Ramsey

BC sailors dominated Sail West on the weekend.

The Central Okanagan Sailing Association hosted Sail West 2019, which attracted sailors under the age of 23, from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.  

Podium finishes were dominated by BC sailors, with COSA sailor, Claire Ramsey, taking Gold in the Optimist Blue Fleet for Optimist sailors ages 11 and 12, and 1st Overall for the entire Optimist Class, beating out younger brother Max.  Other COSA Optimist sailors finished well, with Kyle Wright earning a 4th place finish in the Optimist Blue fleet, and Tyler Rubadeau earning a 10th place finish in the Optimist Red Fleet, for Optimist sailors 13 and up. The White Optimist Fleet for sailors 10 and under was won by Wyatt Gitt from West Vancouver, followed closely by COSA sailors Kai Ramsey.

The Laser 4.7 Fleet included two COSA Race Team members, with Ryan Rubadeau earning 2nd place, beating out teammates Gabriella Littleton In 5th and Ava Halpein in 6th.  The top finisher in the 4.7 Fleet was Adam Chan from Calgary.  In the Laser Full Rig Fleet, COSA sailor Zane Halperin finished in 3rd place, after 1st and 2nd place finishers Matthew Stranaghan from West Vancouver and Cole Ashley from Victoria.

The Laser Radial Fleet was the largest fleet in the regatta, with 36 sailors vying for Gold.  Ian Wright was the top local finisher, earning a 9th place finish.  Top spots went to Kelley Poole from Victoria (1st), Trevor Davis from Victoria (2nd), and Fraser Buck from Vancouver (3rd).

Regatta Organizer, Devin Rubadeau, noted that hosting Sail West was a great opportunity to showcase local talent and provide Okanagan athletes an opportunity to compete in a nationally sanctioned event on home waters.  “Gold, Silver, and Bronze finishes by Claire, Ryan, Zane, and Kai is demonstrative of the great work COSA coaches are doing to prepare local athletes.”