Kingston, July 28, 2026 – Thomas and William Staples from Beaconsfield, QC, took the 8th position overall at the 2026 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Junior Championships held July 19-26 in Medemblik, Netherlands.
That is the best Canadian result registered at this event since Canadian Olympians Will Jones and Evan DePaul won the gold medal at the 2017 edition held in Kingston, Canada.
Through the 12 races held during the week, the Canadian Sailing Team members recorded seven top-10 positions.
“The event got off to a flying start and our recent hard work paid off as everything clicked into place,” said Thomas and William Staples. “While we made a few errors in the final series that cost us a shot at the medals, we’re nonetheless proud of our achievement and are looking forward to using this experience as a springboard for our upcoming event in San Pedro.”
In Nacra 17, another Olympic class, Caspar Lenz Anderson (Calgary, AB) and Grace Poole (Victoria, B.C.) finished 9th out of 16 teams.
In a new category that was launched at last year’s edition, the 49erFX Open, Andrew Chisholm (Belleville, ON) and Henry Simms (Halifax, N.S.) finished in 7th position overall out of 13 boats.
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.
