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History

 

 

Sailing for people with disabilities got its start in Canada at Expo 86 in Vancouver when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher donated a British made Sunbird sailboat to Rick Hansen in honour of his "Man in Motion World Tour". In 1988 Rick Hansen presented this boat to Sam Sullivan, who subsequently used it to found the Disabled Sailing Association of BC (now known as the Adaptive Sailing Association of B.C).

The first Mobility Cup was initiated in 1991 in Vancouver by Sam Sullivan. Sam’s hope was that by inviting key individuals from other cities to take part in Mobility Cup – whether they had ever sailed before was irrelevant – that the sport of disabled sailing would spread and grow.

That’s exactly what happened. People became excited about the potential and recognized what it could mean for people with disabilities in their home towns. New disabled sailing organizations began appearing in cities across Canada and the United States. There are now seventeen disabled sailing associations across Canada.

Sam Sullivan dedicated the Mobility Cup Trophy with a Deed of Gift on Sept. 5, 2001. 

 

DEED OF GIFT

Canada’s International Regatta for Sailors with Disabilities

I, the undersigned, am pleased to donate the Mobility Cup trophy, for presentation to the winner of the Mobility Cup regatta (Mobility Cup), on the condition that it be preserved as a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between sailors of all levels of disability, always including those with significant disabilities, from all countries.

It is my wish that Mobility Cup stand as a symbol of freedom and possibility and to demonstrate that all areas of life can be made accessible for people with all levels of disability. It is my hope that those who participate will be inspired to challenge social and physical barriers and to demonstrate that the sport of sailing is open to all.

Purpose and Principles:

The purpose of Mobility Cup is to act as a catalyst to strengthen organizations that do exist for sailors of all levels of disability and to start new sailing organizations where they do not exist for people of all levels of disability.

Mobility Cup will support the creation of inclusive programs for sailors of all levels of disability as part of a global initiative to ensure that people of all levels of disability have a sport and recreation in which they can participate with dignity.

Mobility Cup will strive for the twin objectives of high quality competition and inclusiveness.

Governance:

Mobility Cup will be governed by the Mobility Cup Committee, comprising 5 people who are geographically dispersed and have demonstrated commitment to making sailing possible for people of all levels of disability.

Mobility Cup will be governed by the Mobility Cup Guidelines, which shall be the responsibility of the Mobility Cup Committee and reviewed annually.



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Friday

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