BURST
Three Nova Scotians are about to launch their bid for world sailing supremacy.
Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance of Chester and Halifax’s Madeline Gillis are in Italy for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships. The Lewin-LaFrance sisters are a veteran duo in 49erFX and Gillis is paired with Toronto’s Galen Richardson in Nacra 17.
Competition in the coastal Sardinian city of Cagliari runs from Tuesday to Sunday next week.
“After spending 10 days on the water in the venue we’ve seen just about every wind condition possible so we know we need to be ready for anything,” the Lewin-LaFrance sisters said in a joint comment in a news release.
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“A new medal race format for the 2028 Olympics will be trailed at this event, bringing some excitement and unfamiliarity. Overall, the venue is spectacular and we’re excited to bring our best to the racing. We’re proud to represent Canada at these world championships and really appreciate everyone’s support and for following along.”
The Lewin-LaFrances enter the event as the No. 1 ranked 49erFX crew in the world. They finished eighth at last year’s worlds and also competed for Canada at the Olympics in Paris in 2024, finishing 11th.
Gillis has close to a decade of international experience, including a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Pan American Games in Peru and appearances at numerous world and European championships. She sails out of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron.
Also representing Canada in Italy will be 49er teams Will Jones and Arie Moffat of Ontario and Thomas Staples and William Staples from Beaconsfield, Que.
Award provides funding boost for Halifax’s Rainham
Halifax’s Lilly Rainham’s sailing ambitions received a significant boost this week when she was named this year’s recipient of the Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award.
The honour provides financial support to a young Canadian sailor who shows promise as an international competitor. It was named after a sailor who died in a car accident just a short time after achieving his lifelong goal of making the Canadian sailing team. The award was created in 2002 to honour his memory.
“I am incredibly humbled to accept the Nathan R. Cowan Memorial Award,” Rainham said in a news release. “I am grateful for the support I’ve received and hope to honour Nathan’s lasting legacy in Canadian sailing.”
Rainham competed at the past three ILCA Under-21 World Championships, placing 44th in 2023, 41st last year in Portugal and 21st this year in Ireland. She also finished 39th at the 2023 ILCA 6 Youth World Championships in Poland and became a member of Team Canada this year.