The smoke cleared and the racing began!

The southern part of the BC interior had been blanked by acrid smoke from a 32,000-acre wildfire burning just south of the border – but this cleared in time for the racing to begin.

Forty-two sailors from across Canada and into the US – with a particularly strong Californian contingent – competed in another memorable Mobility Cup. Winds were somewhat variable, being at various times too low, then too high, then switching direction, but when they were right they were perfect, and some fine racing took place.

Particularly notable this year was contestant Ean Price – who just happens to be coordinator of the Kelowna chapter of the Tetra Society of North America which creates custom assistive devices – who devised his own boat control solution. Unable to use either sip ‘n’ puff or joystick option, he invented a one-of-a-kind ‘magic fingers’ in which an adapted glove allowed him to press wires that steered the boat. For this ingenuity a new recognition was instigated: The Ean Price Outside the Box Award.

And a special mention goes to CanAm Mobility, in Kelowna, for donating four vans with drivers for the duration of the event. Thank you for your support!

Location:

Okanagan Lake, Kelowna, BC

Hosts:

DSA BC, Okanagan branch
Kelowna Yacht Club

Dates:

Sept. 11-15, 2017

Personnel:

Regatta Chairs Tracy Delorme, Larry Clark

Dock Coordinator Paula Stone
Volunteer Coordinator Marsha Hales

Legacy:

Purchase two lifts to aid transfers

Trophy winners:

Gold Fleet winner | Pierre Richard, Montréal, QC

Silver Fleet winner| Monique Trudel, Verdun, QC

Top sip 'n' puff sailor | Chris Loscerbo, Chemainus, BC

Race Results

This year's event was the celebration of 25 years of Mobility Cup, which has been held from coast to coast across Canada since 1991.

It was a welcome return to Montreal - always a popular city with visitors. Mobility Cup was last held here in 2008.

Once again, Quebec Adapted Sailing Association (Association québécoise de voile adaptée – AQVA) and the Pointe Claire Yacht Club were hosts.

Pointe-Claire Yacht Club has been home to AQVA’s disabled sailing program since 1996. It is located on the north shore of Lac St-Louis, close to the historic village of Pointe-Claire. The club’s bathrooms, locker room, bar and restaurant are fully accessible, and it has a deck looking out over the harbour and the lake. Racing was located directly in front of the club, and also in view of spectators at a park across the street.

Location:

Pointe-Claire Yacht Club, Montreal, Quebec

Hosts:

AVQA
Pointe-Claire Yacht Club

Dates:

Aug. 29 - Sept. 2, 2016

Personnel:

Regatta Chairs Pierre Carpentier, René Dallaire, Paula Stone

Legacy:

Upgrading facilities at AQVA, including an updated accessible bathroom and a new, wider ramp onto the dock.

Trophy winners:

Gold Fleet winner | Marc Villeneuve, Laval, QC

Silver Fleet winner| Shaylagh Ley, Napean, ON

Top sip 'n' puff sailor | René Dallaire, Montréal, QC

Race Results:

Gold Fleet

Back in 1995, Victoria was the first city outside of Vancouver to host the Mobility Cup – and, 20 years later, the regatta returned.

The 2015 event was understandably larger, with more participants, and an overall higher level of skill. In all, 40 sailors from across Canada and the US competed in the 2015 event.

Victoria is one of the oldest cities on the Pacific Northwest, dating back to 1843, and a popular tourist destination. The regatta has hosted by Canadian Forces Sailing Association in Esquimalt harbour, which is one nautical mile from Downtown Victoria. Esquamalt actually has more history than Victoria, being inhabited by indigenous Coast Salish for thousands of years. “Is-whoy-malth,” they called it, referring to the flats at the head of the harbour.

Location:

The Canadian Forces Sailing Association ,
Esquimalt Squadron, British Columbia.

Hosts:

DSA Victoria
CFSA Esquimalt Squadron

Dates:

Sept. 7 - 11, 2015

Personnel:

Regatta Chair, Emily Boardman
Race Officerr, Paul Ulibarri

Legacy:

Bringing awareness of adaptive sailing to the wider community.

Trophy winners:

Gold Fleet winner | Peter Eagar, Toronto, ON

Silver Fleet winner| Pierre-Yves Lévesque, Montréal, QC

Top sip 'n' puff sailor | Kevin Penny, Halifax, NS

Race Results:

Probably the most beautiful location for a Mobility Cup ever – participants stayed in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in a fully accessible wilderness retreat lodge.

It will probably be remembered as the Mobility Cup that it snowed. Yes, a freak early snowfall blanketed southern Alberta during the week of Mobility Cup 2014.

The event was held on Lower Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, with participants staying at William Watson Lodge.

Location:

Kananaskis, Alberta

Hosts:

Disabled Sailing Association Alberta
William Watson Lodge

Dates:

September 6 - 13, 2014

Personnel:

Regatta Chairs Robb Lawrence, Sara Cooper

Legacy:

Expansion into new locations throughout the province, such as Cold Lake, Wabamum or Newell. 

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Marc Villeneuve, Laval, QC

Coupe Dallaire | Marc Polley, Pointe-du-Chêne, NB

Sam Sullivan Trophy | Not awarded

Race Results

Daren Tucker Award | Pierre-Yves Levesque, Montreal, QC

Forty-one sailors from across North America and as far away as Australia challenged the waters of Halifax harbour for the High Liner Foods 2013 Mobility Cup.

Tremendous assistance and goodwill was received from the Yacht Squadron and its staff. Competitors and volunteers alike were welcomed to this historic facility, which has its beginnings in 1837.Local sailors and coaches provided briefings on what to expect, and a practice day prior to the start of the regatta gave the competitors a taste of what was to come. The event was made possible more than 90 volunteers.

Location:

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Hosts:

Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron

Dates:

Aug. 27 - 30, 2013

Personnel:

Regatta Chair, Mike Archibald

Legacy:

Construction of a floating dock and ramp.

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Christine Lavallee, Gatineau, PQ

Coupe Dallaire | Jean-Paul Dussault, LaSalle, PQ

Sam Sullivan Trophy | Christine Lavallee, Gatineau, PQ

Daren Tucker Award | Terry LeBlanc, Vancouver, BC

Race Results:

Mobility Cup returned to Ottawa, ON – it was last here in 2003 – for five days of sailing.

In all, 39 sailors raced in two fleets on a 3 km (2 mile) wide section of the Ottawa River, which forms a natural lake known as Lac Deschênes.

The event took place at Nepean Sailing Club, which is located approximately 10 kilometers west of downtown Ottawa.

Location:

Nepean Sailing Club, Ottawa, ON

Hosts:

National Capital Able Sail Association
Nepean Sailing Club

Dates:

Sept. 9 – 14, 2012

Personnel:

Regatta Chair Peter Wood

Principal Race Officer Rick Anderton

Legacy:

Upgraded accessible washrooms in the sailing pavilion, a revitalized volunteer base and new training sails for the fleet of Martin 16 sailboats

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Marc Villeneuve, Laval-des-Rapides, QC

Coupe Dallaire | Patrick Leger, Montreal, QC

Sam Sullivan Trophy | René Dallaire, Montreal, QC

Daren Tucker Award | Colin Smith, Middlebury, VT

Race Results:

The 2011 Rotary Mobility Cup featured the Mobility Cup for the Martin 16, the Canadian Championship for the Liberty class and the North American Championship for the 2.4mR class.

Needless to say, it was the largest event ever in the history of the Mobility Cup. In all, 72 sailors competed, representing Canada, US, UK, Netherlands and Australia.

Racing took place off the southwestern shore of Hamilton Harbour, situated at the western tip of Lake Ontario. It was a testing location that boasted what organizers classed as “interesting” winds and challenging conditions.

Location:

Royal Hamilton Yacht Club,
Hamilton, Ontario

Hosts:

Burlington Sailing and Boating Club
Royal Hamilton Yacht Club

Dates:

Aug. 29 – Sept. 2, 2011

Personnel:

Regatta Chair, Laurel Thompsom & Bob Wercholoz
Race Committee Chair, Colleen Gravelle
Principal Race Officer, Irene Macneil
Honourary chair, Don Green

Legacy:

New permanent accessible floating docks with lifts for the Able Sail programs of the Burlington Sailing & Boating Club and the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Pierre Richard, Montreal, QC

Coupe Dallaire | Sara Cooper, Calgary, AB

Sam Sullivan Trophy | René Dallaire, Montreal, QC

Daren Tucker Award | Lisa Harris, Burlington, ON

Race Results:

Once again the Mobility Cup returned to the sheltered waters of English Bay - it was last here in 2006. This time around 36 sailors competed,19 in Gold Fleet and 17 in Silver. Together they represented four countries: Canada, USA, England and New Zealand.

Infuriatingly, flat weather struck the same fleet two days running - Silver sailed each time, but the Gold Fleet was becalmed. However, organizers managed to fit the Gold Fleet races into the last day.

There was a memorable meeting with a face from the past - the original Sunbird, which was used to start the whole Canadian sailing program, and with it the Mobility Cup, had been restored and put on display at the event. The boat, Iron Lady, was on her way to the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Location:

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club,
Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hosts:

Disabled Sailing Association of B.C.
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

Dates:

Sept. 13 – 17, 2010

Personnel:

Regatta Chairman, Stephen Hunter
Race Officer, John Culter

Legacy:

You're looking at it right now. . . the launch of the history website

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Merle Hickey, Calgary, AB

Coupe Dallaire | Hafsa Chaar, Montreal, QC

Sam Sullivan Trophy | Terry LeBlanc, Vancouver, BC

Daren Tucker Award | Gerry Burns, Vancouver, BC

Race Results:

The largest Mobility Cup held in recent years, with 47 sailors over three fleets – it’s probably second in size only to the 2001 event, with a staggering 58 participants!

Held in Toronto, it included the 2.4 Metre North American Championships in conjunction with the Mobility Cup. The 2.4mR is the single person discipline for the upcoming 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.

It followed on from an all-weekend free race clinic, and included a day’s practice and four of racing.

Mobility Cup 2009 chairmen Danny McCoy, Jeff Levine and Drew Robertson wrote: “Ten years ago in the summer of 1999, The Mobility Cup came to Toronto and left in its wake the Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario and moreover what has become the country’s largest sailing program for persons with a disability.

“We are so proud to be able to look back at an amazing decade of being the sole providers of full time access to Toronto’s waterfront and the sport of sailing to the Disabled community of the Greater Toronto Area."

Location:

National Yacht Club,
Toronto, Ontario

Hosts:

Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario
Ashbridge's Bay Yacht Club

Dates:

Aug. 31 – Sept. 4, 2009

Personnel:

Regatta Chairmen, Danny McCoy, Jeff Levine, Drew Robertson

Legacy:

Construction of a dock.

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Robb Lawrence, Calgary, AB

Coupe Dallaire | Jennifer Smith , Belleville, ON

Sam Sullivan Trophy | Chris Loscerbo, Chemainus, BC

Daren Tucker Award | Kevin Penny, Halifax, NS

Race Results:

Mobility Cup 2008 was hosted by the Quebec Adapted Sailing Association (Association québécoise de voile adaptée – AQVA) and the Pointe Claire Yacht Club (PCYC). Forty-two participants from around North America, as well as Great Britain and New Zealand were treated to PCYC’s warm hospitality over the five day event. Despite all-too-frequent light and shifty winds, both the Silver and Gold fleets were able to complete a full series of races, with a drop for each group. All week, there was a strong focus on coaching with several guest coaches helping on the water and leading animated de-briefs.

As with all AQVA events, there was a spirited and ever present social side including daily Happy Hours and prize giveaways during de-briefs.   The Lebanese-themed barbecue held on Tuesday night was appreciated by all and the banquet held on the Thursday began with a beautiful meal and ended with Karaoke and dancing until the wee hours.  Close to 100 volunteers contributed to the success of this event.

 Location:

Pointe Claire Yacht Club,
Montreal, QC

Hosts:

Association québécoise de voile adaptée
Pointe Claire Yacht Club

Dates:

Aug. 25 - 29, 2008

Personnel:

Regatta Chair, Paula Stone
Race Officer, Madeleine Palfreeman

Legacy:

Thanks to the funds raised for Mobility Cup, AQVA was able to complete a renovation project with Pointe Claire Yacht Club to make the washrooms fully wheelchair accessible.

Trophy winners:

Results

The Harding Medical Mobility Cup sailed into Halifax, Nova Scotia in August 2007. This was the first time in the event’s 20-year history that the Mobility Cup has been held in Atlantic Canada.

It was held at Dartmouth Yacht Club, with sailing in the vicinity of Wright's Cove in Halifax Harbour.

Forty competitors from across Canada, United States, England and New Zealand raced Martin 16 sailboats for four days in two fleets.

For a variety of reasons – most likely a warm welcome and a staggeringly beautiful area – this seems to be a particularly memorable event.

Location:

Wright's Cove,
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Hosts:

Dartmouth Yacht Club
Sail Able Nova Scotia

Dates:

Aug. 27 - 31 , 2007

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Robb Lawrence, Calgary, AB

Coupe Dallaire | Rod Mack, Victoria, BC

Sam Sullivan Trophy | Chris Loscerbo, Chemainus, BC

Daren Tucker Award | Helen Dam, Hamilton, ON

Race Results:

This year’s event was held in the sheltered waters of English Bay, overlooked by the Vancouver cityscape and the North Shore mountains. In all, 42 sailors competed, between them representing six countries: Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary and England.

The 2006 regatta immediately followed the AbleSail Symposium, an all-day event involving sailors and adaptive sailing club organizers. Participants considered areas ranging from improving sailing techniques (basic sailing to race strategy) to forming a disabled sailing club.

Location:

Royal Vancouver Yacht Club,
Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hosts:

Disabled Sailing Association
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

Dates:

Sept. 11 – 15, 2006

Personnel:

Regatta Chairman, David Williams
Race Officer, John Culter

Legacy:

Formation of the sport’s governing body, the AbleSailNetwork.ca

Trophy winners:

Mobility Cup | Robb Lawrence, Calgary, AB

Coupe Dallaire | Shelly Gautier, Toronto, ON

Sam Sullivan Trophy | Chris Loscerbo, Chemainus, BC

Daren Tucker Award | Kevin Penny, Halifax, NS

Race Results: