©Sharon Green/Ultimate Sailing
On Saturday, August 17, 12 teams and over 100 women sailors competed in the 4th annual J105 Ontario Women’s Championships hosted by the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in Toronto, Canada. The event was proudly sponsored by Scotiabank Women Initiative® and The Mountford Group of Scotia Wealth Management.
The regatta was founded four years ago to encourage and support women’s racing. It has grown into an empowering event: sailed by women, run by women; with all-women race committees and judges and continues to support the Broad Reach Foundation. Additionally, in 2024, the event is sponsored by the Scotiabank Women Initiative® and photographed by iconic sailing photographer renowned for her Ultimate Sailing Calendar; Sharon Green. The event has inspired regions across North America to host similar regattas with added support from the j105 Class Association, including San Francisco, Charleston and the upcoming Annapolis event on Sept. 1, where 15 J105s will be racing.
The 2024 J105 Ontario Women’s Championship winning team, Hey Jude, with skipper Karen McRae, reclaimed the title this year, with a decisive lead in the one and only race of the day, as the regatta worked around wind and weather challenges.
Amanda Karahanas skippering Un-Usual Suspects took 2nd, Jen Provan finished 3rd on Mandate, Julie Mitchell skippering The Kernel finished 4th and Kathy Pask skippering Full Tilt Boogie finished 5th.
The race committee, led by Irene McNeil, were challenged by low winds in the morning, but set a fantastic course for the first race. As competitors finished the first downwind, radar picked up a massive incoming storm and shortly after the race finished the skies turned black, lightning was spotted, and racing was called off for the day in order to get boats safely back to the dock.
Michelle Skutelsky, Regatta Chair, said, “We set out to create an event that would not only showcase the incredible talent of women sailors, but also foster a community where more women feel empowered to take the helm. Despite the challenges with the weather – the enthusiasm, camaraderie, and skill on display today were a true testament to the spirit of this regatta. It’s not just about the racing; it’s about building a stronger, more inclusive sailing community on Lake Ontario.”
“The crew bank for the regatta included women new to the fleet, with massive efforts to find spots on boats for all for the day, embodying the intent of the event to bring more women into racing on Lake Ontario, and more sailors to the J105 fleet” said Kathy Pask, Regatta Organizer and J105 fleet representative. “Owners were generous again in loaning their boats to make this event happen.”
The generations of women sailors that participated ranged from ages 17 to 72 years – and included mothers and daughters; sisters; and many women who had coached or been coached by others at the regatta over the years. The caliber of sailors was also outstanding with women who have represented Canada in Rolex Championships, World Championships, Olympics and the Pan Am Games.
Crews embraced the Paris theme, done as homage to the recent Olympic games, throughout the day. We saw the French inspiration in team racing shirts and Parisian-inspired outfits at the celebratory dinner in the Harbourview Room at RCYC. The Scotiabank Women Initiative handed out the awards with prizes for the top five boats, with additional donations from Debbie Fogh of Fogh Marine, Anela Dujsic of LiNE Sailing Bags, Jessica Perraton of the Charter Yacht Company, Heather Ann Mitchele with Champagne to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Katie Pelletier, marine marketing manager at GiLL whose goal is to support J105 women’s regattas across North America. The Levi Group of Canada generously donated Nautica shirts for every competitor.
