Kingston, September 9, 2024 – Sail Canada Development Squad Member in ILCA 7 Luke Ruitenberg from St. Margaret’s Bay, N.S., announced his retirement from competition.
Member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Luke Ruitenberg started sailing at the age of nine. In 2012, he won the Sail Canada Youth Championships in Laser Radial (ILCA 6), before transitioning to the Laser Standard (ILCA 7) Olympic class. In 2021, Luke won the Sail Canada ILCA 7 Senior Championships, and he was the top Canadian in the Gold Fleet at both the 2023 and 2024 World Championships. At the 2024 World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, Luke achieved the best result by a Canadian since 2016.
He won the Sail Canada Marvin McDill Memorial Award in 2017, presented annually to the athlete/crew with the best results at their first Open World Championship as a member of the Canadian Sailing Team.
He had been a member of Sail Canada’s Development Squad Team since 2017.
Heading towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Luke Ruitenberg won the Canadian qualifier for the ILCA 7 spot. However, Canada did not qualify a spot for the country.
“After taking time to reflect since my campaign for the Paris Olympics ended in April, I have decided not to continue towards LA 2028. It has been a difficult decision to make, but it is the right one for me at this time,” said Luke Ruitenberg.
“My ultimate goal was to perform at the 2024 Olympics but unfortunately, I didn’t get there. The Olympics are the pinnacle competition in our sport and it is the highest honour to be able to represent Canada on that stage. As sailors, we put a huge emphasis on that end goal and it becomes a defining feature of success or failure. It was hugely disappointing to have missed that target, but as time passes, I have gained more appreciation for many other successes along the way. I’ve had the privilege of representing Nova Scotia and Canada competing against the best in the sport at World Cup events and World Championships over the last several years, and I’ve had many great moments. Success in sport never follows a linear path, and I’ve certainly had many ups and downs along the way. You don’t make it far in this endeavour without facing failure head on, and I believe that resiliency is the greatest asset that I will take with me moving forward.”
Luke Ruitenberg wanted to take the opportunity to thank some people who helped him along the way.
“It has been an incredible journey, and one that would not have been possible without the support of so many people. I’d like to give a huge thank you to my sponsors, RNSYS, SMSC, Sail NS, Sport NS, Sail Canada, family, friends and the countless others who have backed me and believed in my pursuit of success in this sport. Nova Scotia might be a small blip on the map, but the support network in the province and the sense of community is what enables athletes like me to pursue big goals on a world stage. I’m enormously grateful to have had that support.”
Luke Ruitenberg studied at Queen’s University, where he was a member of the Queen’s Sailing Team and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2020.
“Right now, I’ve shifted my focus towards coaching the next generation of youth sailors in Nova Scotia while I figure out my next steps,” he added. “I have really enjoyed the experience so far, and it allows me to pass down some of the lessons I’ve learned to those who are pursuing the same path I did.”
More information about Luke Ruitenberg is available at https://www.sailing.ca/sc_athlete/luke-ruitenberg/.
About Sail Canada
Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.
A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals.
