Sailors with disabilities compete in Halifax for national cup
Posted Aug 27, 2013 11:55:06 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Sailors with disabilities from across the country are in Halifax for the 2013 Mobility Cup.
The national regatta race kicks off today at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron and runs until Friday night.
“Each boat accommodates the sailor’s disability,” said Mike Archibald, chair of the Mobility Cup. “Some people have no use of their legs, no use of their arms, or control their boat with a sip and puff technology.”
Terry LeBlanc is originally from the Maritimes and has been racing in the water for years. He operates his boat by breathing into two straws.
“One straw is for helm, so you sip to starboard and puff to port,” explained LeBlanc. “The other is for bringing the sails in and out.”
There are 42 competitors in the four day race. Karelle Regnier sails with the Ottawa team. Due to her cerebral palsy, her boat is designed so it can’t capsize.
“My seat is also directly in the centre of the vessel to help with balance,” added Regnier. “Every control is also at arms reach.”
Marc Villeneuve of Montreal won the cup last year. He says competition is fierce on the water, but it’s always a reunion on shore.
“Most of us compete against one another every year,” explained Villeneuve. “Disregarding the type of disability you have, you can sail and be a good competitor on the water.”
If you want to catch the action, you can see the boats race from Point Pleasant Park, or head down to the squadron itself. This is the second time Nova Scotia has hosted the event, the first was in 2007 at the Dartmouth Yacht Club.
