Mobility Cup was held outside British Columbia for the first time in 1997, being hosted by Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta and Glenmore Sailing Club. DSA Alberta had been formed in 1994, inspired by the British Columbia programs, so hosting the national regatta gave the club a considerable boost.

Organizers stated that there were at that time “more than 30,000 adults and children with mobility impairments in Calgary, any of whom may benefit from accessibility to sailing as a recreational and therapeutic experience.” The event included a practice day followed by five days’ racing for 28 competitors, using both the Sunbird and Martin 16 adaptive sailboats.

The event is memorable as Mobility Cup 1997 was approved by the Canadian Yachting Association as Canada’s Qualifying Regatta for the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Single-Handed Class to compete at the IFDS North/South American Regional Regatta in St. Petersburg, Florida, in October, 1997.

Location

Glenmore Sailing Club,
Calgary, Alberta

Hosts

Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta
Glenmore Sailing Club

Dates

Aug. 24 – 29, 1997

Personnel

Regatta Chairman, Ron Pawlyk
Race Committee Chair, Bill Purves-Smith

Legacy

First event held outside of British Columbia; growth of DSA Alberta

Trophy winners

Mobility Cup | Danny McCoy, Toronto, ON

Silver Fleet winner| Dale Keith, Calgary, AB

Top sip 'n' puff sailor | Rene Dallaire, Montreal, QC