Nelson's Ellis trio burn up waters at 40th Annual National Qualifying Regatta
By Contributor
Photo Caption: Cadets Eric Iversen of 201 RCSCC in Port Coquitlam and Katelyn Ellis of 81 RCSCC in Nelson (far left) are presented the Robert Aitken Dallin Memorial Trophy for Sportsmanship by Cdr Andy Muir, CO RCSU (Pac).— Submitted photo
Three sea cadets from Nelson — Kenneth, Kaden and Katelyn Ellis of 81 Hampton Gray VC Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps — are among the top 20 sailors in BC. Cadets following competition at the 40th Annual National Qualifying Regatta (NQR) held recently in Victoria.
The competitors came from various locations throughout BC competed in teams of two during the three-day selection camp and regatta.
These cadets all qualified for the NQR by sailing at the Provincial Qualifying Regatta, held last October in Esquimalt.
The goal of the National Qualifying Regatta is to select the eight strongest cadet sailors to form the Pacific National Team.
Kenneth Ellis will be heading to Kingston, ON this summer to compete in the National Regatta after placing third in the NQR.
He will be the skipper of his team with Cadet Lauren Christensen of 263 Beacon Hill RCSCC in Langford as crew. Kaden placed fifth with his team-mate, Cadet Seamus Ryan-Lloyd of 5 Rainbow RCSCC in Victoria, just missing a place on the national team by one point.
Katelyn Ellis was presented with the Robert Aitken Dallin Memorial Trophy for Sportsmanship with her team-mate Cadet Eric Iversen of 201 Grilse RCSCC.
“I feel we have a strong team for the national regatta this year,” said Lt (N) Tracy Terry, Water Operations Officer for the Cadet Program in B.C.
“These top sailors have a drive to win, know the racing rules of sailing, are committed to practicing and can work together in a team environment to sail the boat fast in a variety of wind conditions.”
The NQR was held in partnership with the Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVicYC), which offers tremendous benefits for both the staff and cadets.
They are given the opportunity to learn from expert coaches on the water and afterwards with daily debriefs.
“The Cadet Sailing Program runs in line with the Royal Victoria Yacht Club goals to bring together competitors from all parts of Western Canada to train together to develop racing, race management and coaching skills, sportsmanship and friendship,” said RVicYC head coach Steve McBride.
“Every cadet who competed this weekend has an increased connection to sailing as a sport for life.”
