2008 Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia

Pictured: Petra Niemann, the highest performer of this always key international regatta.

Montreal sailors from BYC, Stephane Locas & Oliver Bone took an almost exactly mid-fleet finish at the 2008 Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia. In the 470 class the duo, who will compete for Canada at the Olympics, finished 43rd overall out of 84 boats. In their 2nd race high they accomplished an impressive fifth place finish, but for a low, they were also black flagged in their fifth race.

Canadian Chris Cook, racing in the Finn had a truly incredible regatta, with a tough beginning followed by a heroic comeback. His last three races were nothing less than a totally dominating conclusion. His first race resulted in a 25th position, followed by finishes in the mid-teens, and then a BFD. Oh dear. Cook fought on with a 22nd then improved with an 8th. The final races were Cook full-on with bullets in the eighth and ninth races! In the medal race reserved for the top of the fleet where Cook has sometimes faltered, he placed 4th. Overall, Cook placed 9th out of 46 competitors including the winner, and usually untouchable Ben Ainslie

Also competing from Canada were Gordon Cook and Ben Remocker in the 49er with 27/52.

No doubt, the shining star of the entire international regatta had to be Petra Niemann of Germany who discarded a 2nd place, and won every other race in the Laser Radial fleet - WOW!