Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Canadian Yachting Association is excited to announce the first members of the 2009 Canadian Optimist Dinghy Sailing Team! Congratulations to the following athletes:
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Julien Fougere (CYC, NS)
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Sarah Douglas (TBC, ON)
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Austin Stein (RCYC, ON)
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Meredith Megarry (RHYC, ON)
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Devan Dube (RNSYS, NS)
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Sara Baum (MCC, ON)
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Dominic Fritz (RVYC, BC)
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Emily Nicoll (RCYC, ON)
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Max Flinn (CYC, NS)
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Linor Berezin (ABYC, ON)
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The team is being recognized as Canada’s most successful Opti sailors in 2008 – under the age of 16. The qualifying event was the 2008 Canadian Optimist Championships.
Let’s take a look at the members of the new team:
Julien Fougere (CYC, NS)
Julien began sailing out of CYC when he was 9 years old and completed his first race when he was 12. He sails to gain new friendships and for the competitive thrill of racing. Julien enjoys playing hockey, skiing and baseball.
Julien was the 1st placed Canadian and 4th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Austin Stein (RCYC, ON)
Austin began sailing at the age of 6 then joined the RCYC Opti race team at the age of 9. A few years later he began traveling all over Ontario & US with the Lake Ontario Optimist Team. Austin sails with his father, who has instilled a passion for the sport into his life. Austin enjoys school, competitive skiing, triathlons, among many other activities.
Austin was the 2nd placed Canadian and 5th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Sarah Douglas (ON)
Sarah learned to sail with her brother in the Pramster program at Island Yacht Club. She started competitive sailing in 2004 in Barbados. Sarah enjoys playing field hockey, snowboarding and any water sport.
Sarah was the 3rd placed Canadian and 6th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Devan Dube (RNSYS, NS)
Devan began sailing school in the summer of 2002 at the age of 7. In 2007, he joined the Canadian Optimist Atlantic Sailing Team (COAST) and began sailing competitively. Devan also enjoys playing rugby, skiing, soccer and basketball.
Devan was the 4th placed Canadian and 8th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Meredith Megarry (RHYC, ON)
Meredith grew up at various yacht clubs, watching her father and brother race competitively. She got her first boat at the age of 10 and began racing at RHYC in 2005. Meredith also skis competitively and plays soccer, volleyball and track at school.
Meredith was the 5th placed Canadian and 10th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Sara Baum (MCC, ON)
Sara comes from a family of sailors. She began her sailing journey at the Island Yacht Club junior sailing program at the age of 9. She joined the Lake Ontario Optimist Team (LOOT) when she was 13 years old and spent 3 years at that location. In 2007/08, she sailed for Canada at the European Opti Championships in Greece and the NA Championships in Curacao. Sara is also a competitive gymnast and trains 18 hours per week since the age of six.
Sara was 6th placed Canadian and 13th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Emily Nicoll (RCYC, ON)
Emily comes from generations of sailors. She began in the junior sailing club at IYC at the age of 8. She graduated to the race team at the age of 10 and moved onto the LOOT where she currently sails.
Outside of sailing, Emily plays rugby and snowboards.
Emily was 7th placed Canadian and 15th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Dominic Fritz (RVYC, BC)
Dominic began sailing at the age of 7 at the Rocky Point Sailing Association and moved to RVYC Advanced Opti Team. Over the past few years, Dominic has attended several regattas and racing clinics in Canada, US, Spain, and Italy. Dominic also plays competitive hockey, basketball and soccer.
Dominic was 8th placed Canadian and 17th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Max Flinn (CYC, NS)
Max began sailing at CYC at the age of 7. His brother had a major influence in his participation. Max also enjoys playing soccer and going skiing.
Max was 9th placed Canadian and 18th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
Linor Berezin (ABYC, ON)
Linor began sailing at NYC camp in 2002. She has been racing at the provincial and national level since 2004. Linor has also earned her black belt in taekwando and plays on her high school volleyball team.
Linor was 10th placed Canadian and 19th overall at the Canadian Opti Championships.
