The Mobility Cup regatta 2023 was held at the National Yacht Club, Toronto August 27-31. NSC members sailed in the 20-boat Gold fleet, with Brian Peckover finishing 2nd overall (including 2 race wins), and Karell Regnier 16th. Rachid Merzouk, who also sails at NSC, earned 10th place in the 18-boat Silver fleet and won the Rookie Sailor award.
Sailors competed in Martin 16 boats, which you will also find on NSC’s able sail dock. There were 8 races per fleet over the 4 days of racing. The early part of the regatta was marked by light, shifty and patchy winds conditions of about 6 knots. The last day brought 13 knots of wind with 25 knots gusts at some moments – the Martin 16 has a keel that is heavy for its size, and can certainly handle these conditions. The Gold fleet had the strongest and deepest competition level ever, as all of the best Martin 16 sailors of Canada registered, creating several 5 to 7 boat photo finishes.
A strong list of sponsors supported the regatta and are integral to the ongoing success of this event. The opening and closing ceremony included indigenous elders and drummer. The rock music cover singer at the regatta banquet was accompanied by sailors and volunteers on vocals and guitar. At the closing ceremony, the Hon. Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected as Canadian federal MP, gave an inspiring speech on how the Mobility Cup is an agent of change towards a more inclusive society.
The National Yacht Club and Toronto Able Sailing Association jointly organized this regatta. The AbleSail Network of Canada are the overseeing organization, and they write:
“Mobility Cup is a ‘regatta of possibility’ where personal, social, geographic, technological and organizational barriers are challenged in the spirit of friendly competition. It is international in scope, inviting people from around the globe to participate, for the purpose of excellence, discovery and learning.”
Event reporting by Karell, post write-up by Dominic, photos Mobility Cup.