The 10th annual Ottawa Skiff & Cat Grand Prix comes to NSC on June 1st and 2nd. With the event being a cornerstone of the Canadian and North American championship series for the 49ers, 49er FX, 29ers, and International 14s, expect to see quite strong participation. The event has also seen Contenders, ICs, Tornados, and other high performance catamarans. RYA Portsmouth handicapped racing fleets are also open to double-handed and single-handed skiffs and cats providing a venue for top-notch racing of less common designs.
The new women’s Olympic skiff, the 49er FX will be featured this year, as North America’s top female sailors begin their campaign to represent their countries at the 2016 Olympic Games.
With the International 14 World Championships just down the road in Toronto next September, you can expect to see the crème de la crème in the 14 fleet. Visit the dinghy yard to see brand new all-carbon boats with the latest in sailing technology on display. With adjustable hydrofoils, gybing daggerboards, wave piercing bows, the Grand Prix is used as testing grounds for the latest evolutions.
With the America’s Cup now racing cats, the twin hulled vessels are no longer in the peripherals of the sport, where they once lay. The local catamaran fleet has been swelling in size and modernizing in the last few years, and as a result, expect to see a mass of cats under spinnaker and double trapeze effortlessly charging around the lake.
Whether you wish to throw your hat in the ring by racing, stroll the dinghy park to check out the huge collection of hot boats, or join in the social side of things at the clubhouse, this event will not disappoint. There will also be opportunities to get out on the water and see the action up close as a volunteer in one of the safety/media boats.
For those that are into the social side, Saturday evening’s party is always popular. After dinner, the fastest in Canadian sailing discuss development, tactics, watch playoff hockey, listen to great music, and celebrate the good life. The event and party are open to all, so please come join the fun.
Matt Davidge