Annalise Balasubramanian comes up with best Canadian performance in ILCA 6 since 2009 at the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships

She took the 12th spot in The Hague, NED

Kingston, July 15, 2022 ‰ÛÒ Annalise Balasubramanian from Toronto, ON, came up with the best Canadian performance in ILCA 6 since 2009 at the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships, which ended Thursday in The Hague, Netherlands, with a 12th-place finish.

Through the seven races that were held during the competition, the 17-year-old sailor finished four times in the top 15 against 55 other athletes from around the world. She improved on her performance from last year‰Ûªs event in Oman, where she came up with 22nd place.

By finishing 12th, Annalise Balasubramanian recorded the best Canadian performance at this year‰Ûªs competition on an 11-member Canadian team that, as part of the Nations Trophy ‰ÛÒ which keeps track of each country‰Ûªs overall ranking — took 17th place overall, improving on last year‰Ûªs result by six spots.

At the 2008 and 2009 Youth Sailing World Championships, Isabella Bertold finished just off the podium in fourth position, while Brenda Bowskill took the 15th spot in 2010 and Clara Gravely, who is currently on Sail Canada‰Ûªs Development Squad, came with 14th place in 2017 in China.

The Youth Sailing World Championships are an important stepping stone for sailors heading towards the Canadian Sailing Team and Development Squad. The event has been held annually since 1971 except for the 2020 edition, which was cancelled because of the pandemic. Among the many sailors who have competed in past editions of the Youth Sailing World Championships are Georgia Lewin-LaFrance, Ryan & Andrew Wood, Coralie Vittecoq, Will & Sam Bonin, Ryan Anderson and Clara Gravely, as well as 2020 Tokyo Olympic Canadian Team member Ali ten Hove (in 2012 and 2013).

This year, a total of 450 junior sailors who are 19 years of age or less represented approximately 70 countries from all over the world in the 11 events that were scheduled.

Canadian results at the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships

ILCA 6 (Laser Radial)

12. Annalise Balasubramanian (Toronto, ON-RCYC & Ontario Sailing Team)

25. Nathan Latka (Toronto, ON-ABYC & Ontario Sailing Team)

29er

21. Colin Gilley & Matt Young (Vancouver, B.C.-RVanYC)

i420

18. Riley Macaulay & Finlay Macaulay (Halifax, N.S.-RNSYS)

20. Ayrton Stein & Henry Simms (Halifax, N.S.-RNSYS)

Kiteboarding

16. Nathan Pearce (North Vancouver, B.C.-RVanYC)

Mixed Nacra 15

14. Dale Smith (Halifax, N.S.-RNSYS) & Noah Adler (Lower Prospect, N.S.-RNSYS)

More information can be found on Sail Canada‰Ûªs website at www.sailing.ca.

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.