Sarah Douglas also takes part in her first competition since Tokyo 2020; finishes 5th at the US Open Sailing Series in Fort Lauderdale
Kingston, January 17, 2022 ÛÒ Two-time Olympian in sailing Tom Ramshaw took second place overall at the 2022 US Open Sailing Series, which ended Monday in Fort Lauderdale, USA, while taking part in the ILCA 7 (Laser) event, a class the Canadian sailor had not competed in since 2015.
Over the six-race competition, the athlete from Toronto initially made a strong return by finishing first in the first race, his first since Tokyo 2020. And on Monday, he closed the event with his second first-place finish. Luke Ruitenberg of St. Margaret’s Bay, N.S., finished in second spot, right behind Ramshaw, in the sixth and last race to end the competition in seventh position overall. Six other Canadians took part in the event that involved 31 participants, including sailors from the USA, Porto Rico, Bermuda, Venezuela and Belize.
ÛÏThe regatta was a nice opportunity to get back to some good racing,Û said Ramshaw, who competed in the Finn class at the last two Olympic Games, a category that was part of the Olympic program for the last time in Tokyo. ÛÏI was thinking I could win it if I sailed well, but unfortunately, I just made too many mistakes. I was a little rusty getting off the line but I managed to keep it together for a decent series. IÛªm definitely looking forward to improving and racing again!Û
Sarah Douglas comes in fifth at her first competition since Tokyo
In the ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) class, Sarah Douglas gained five spots over the span of the competition that started on Saturday to end up in fifth position at her first event since last summerÛªs Olympic Games.
During the competition, the sailor from Toronto came up with one third-place finish and two fifth-place results to end up one spot ahead of one of three other fellow Canadians also in contention, Coralie Vittecoq from Montreal. Vittecoq came up with one second-place finish and one third-place result over the six-race event.
ÛÏIt was great to be back racing after a long break following the Olympics. Unsurprisingly, I am still getting back to my racing form physically and mentally. Next up for me is training with the rest of the Canadian team in Clearwater next week,Û said Douglas who took the 6th spot in Tokyo. ÛÏCongratulations to the winners who sailed very well in tricky and exciting conditions.Û
This weekend, Canada will be represented by 10 other Canadians at the next 2022 US Open Sailing Series event, to be held in Miami. Among them will be Tokyo 2020 Canadian Olympians Ali ten Hove and Mariah Millen, along with the team comprised of Audrey Staples and Marion Lafrance-Berger, in the 49er FX class.
On the menÛªs side in the 49er event, the teams made up of Ryan and Andrew Wood, Arie Moffat and Sam Bonin, as well as Thomas and William Staples are also scheduled to compete.
Canadian results
2022 US Open Sailing Series
Fort Lauderdale, USA
FINAL
ILCA 6 (/62)
5. Sarah Douglas (R1: 23 / R2: 3 / R3: 9 / R4: 5 / R5: 5 / R6: 14)
6. Coralie Vittecoq (R1: 12 / R2: 7 / R3: 15 / R4: 2 / R5: 20 / R6: 3)
12. Clara Gravely (R1: 29 / R2: 25 / R3: 8 / R4: 24 / R5: 3 / R6: 7)
33. Aidan Dennis (R1: 40 / R2: 20 / R3: 38 / R4: 12 / R5: 25 / R6: 40)
ILCA 7 (/31)
2. Tom Ramshaw (R1: 1 / R2: 11 / R3: 17 / R4: 7 / R5: 7 / R6: 1)
7. Luke Ruitenberg (R1: 22 / R2: 20 / R3: 6 / R4: 9 / R5: 1 / R6: 2)
10. Liam Bruce (R1: 5 / R2: 18 / R3: RET / R4: 8 / R5: 5 / R6: 15)
11. Ryan Anderson (R1: 18 / R2: 4 / R3: 19 / R4: 17 / R5: 3 / R6: 11)
12. Forrest Wachholz (R1: 12 / R2: 10 / R3: 27 / R4: 3 / R5: 10 / R6: 20)
13. James Juhasz (R1: 16 / R2: 13 / R3: 10 / R4: 12 / R5: 12 / R6: 10)
23. Finley Nakatsu (R1: 24 / R2: 26 / R3: 18 / R4: 22 / R5: 23 / R6: 17)
25. Daniel Connors (R1: 31 / R2: 28 / R3: 15 / R4: 19 / R5: 24 / R6: 24)
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.
