Emily Bugeja looking to add a spot this weekend in Women’s Kiteboarding
Kingston, March 6, 2023 – Canada has qualified two additional spots for the sailing events at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games to be held October 20 to November 5 in Santiago, Chile, following the reallocation of spots in 49erFX and Nacra 17 classes by Panam Sailing.
Because the last qualifying competition for these classes in Clearwater, FL, was cancelled early in February, Panam Sailing had to move forward with the procedure for the reallocation of unused quota spots, as outlined in the Panam Sailing qualification criteria (https://panamsailing.org/).
Similarly to the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes, Canadian sailors in 49erFX and Nacra 17 will look to qualify their team and themselves to be nominated to Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Pan American Games squad by being the best from their country at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma, Spain, April 3-8.
As of today, Canada has qualified five spots in the 13 events that will be held at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Will Jones (Jerseyville, ON-RHYC) and Justin Barnes (Pickering, ON-RCYC) in 49er, Mac Morrin (Kingston, ON) in men’s Kiteboarding, as well as Rebecca Heller (Dunrobin, ON-KYC) in women’s iQFoil, have all qualified to be nominated to Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Pan American Games squad, based on Sail Canada’s Internal Nomination Procedures which are available at https://www.sailing.ca/sc_event/2023-pan-american-games.
Competing at the 2023 Pan American Games will be one of many opportunities to qualify spots for Canada in sailing for the 2024 Olympic Games.
An additional spot in women’s Kiteboarding?
Athletes in Kiteboarding will take part in the last qualifier to earn one of the last three spots available for their country in this event for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games when the 2023 Formula Kite Pan American Championships will be held in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, March 9 to 12.
On the Canadian women’s side, Emily Bugeja from Vancouver, B.C. (RVYC), will aim to finish amongst the top three athletes of countries not already qualified in this event. At the present time, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and the USA have all secured a spot in women’s Kiteboarding for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
At the last qualification event held in Clearwater in February, Emily Bugeja was the top Canadian, but finished fourth amongst the countries that had not already qualified while the top three earned their ticket.
“Clearwater brought on some tough conditions,” said Emily Bugeja. “Even though I didn’t qualify Canada for the Pan Am Games there, I’m really proud of how I sailed and how much I improved. The goal in Cabarete is to get that country spot.”
More information on the selection process for the 2023 Pan American Games is available at https://www.sailing.ca/sc_event/2023-pan-american-games.
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.
