Quebec and Montreal Sailors make Canadian Youth Sailing Team

The CYA has announced the membership for the 2009 Canadian Youth Sailing Team. These are generally the sailors who are under 19 years of age, and recognized as having the greatest successes. Here are the sailors from Quebec, including the Montreal area:


LASER CLASS

Jean-Luc Robitaille (ANBB, QC)
Jean-Luc began sailing at the age of 10 due, in great part, to his father’s influence. He thoroughly enjoyed it and took to the sport immediately. He placed top on the leader board at the Canadian Optimist Championships and CORK. He also enjoys playing basketball and swimming.
Jean-Luc placed 5th at the Youth National Championships.


LASER RADIAL CLASS

Neomi Lebel (EVO, QC)
Neomi attended an Opti sailing camp at the age of 7. She began to compete in sailing in the Opti, followed by the Byte and finally the Radial. Neomi also enjoys skiing and snowboarding. She is currently in college and hopes to pursue a postgraduate education in business.
Neomi placed 5th overall at the CYA Youth National Championships.


29er MALE CLASS

Eric & Alex Chouinard (Royal St-Lawrence YC, QC)
Eric & Alex both began sailing at the age of 12. In their first summer sailing, they began with a one-week program at the Royal St-Lawrence Yacht Club in the Optimist. The following summer, they took a 6-week program in which they learnt the basics of racing. They sailed the 420 for 2 months and finally decided to sail 29ers. Eric & Alex also enjoy skiing, playing tennis and guitar.
Eric & Alex qualified for the 2008 ISAF Youth World Championships and placed 20th overall.


There are some pretty hot sailors from all over Canada, and it goes to show, Canada continues to be very a promising country of Olympic class sailing. Beyond Quebec, we see examples in powerhouse Robert Davis from Kingston YC, and I must cheer on my favourite, Oliver Darroch (who with his dad, my friend Neil, helped me rig the Shark at Bronte YC. Thanks guys!) We have seen some exciting performances from Canada's Olympic sailors, and it looks like that will continue. All that effort will surely rub off on our local scenes too.