The Event we will be attending is the 8 Metre World Championship in The Clyde, Scotland. The Organising Authority are the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club and the Mudhook Yacht Club, in conjunction with the International 8 Metre Class Association (IEMA). The event website can be found here: https://worldcup.8mr.org/
In an effort to bring in more competitors and a non-European country to compete at the World Cup, an email was sent out on behalf of IEMA at the end of April inviting youth teams with 8 Metre experience to apply for a grant to help send them to the World Cup. We jumped on this lead and were selected!
The Earl of Cork, John Boyle, a member of The House of Lords, graciously offered up his Neptune Classic 8 Metre, named Athena Ex. Ilderem, to be used by an International Youth Team for the 2024 World Cup. The boat is a Tore Holm International 8-Metre built in 1939. This boat is a true piece of history featuring a stunning all-varnished hull, and designer’s signature rounded and faired to deck cabin top, and she beat many of the fastest 8s in the Mediterranean immediately before the Second World War.
We truly feel that the SRSA (comprised of Andrew Kanarek, Andrzej Sienkiewicz, Sean Wylie, Sebastian Nagy, Taylor Knoll, Thea Cheeseman & Tim Morland) are more than just a sailing team. One of our favourite things about Etobicoke Yacht Club is our sense of community - being a self help club, we have grown up with strong values such as helping our neighbours when in need. United by our love for the seas and passion for the sport, we are dedicated to bringing youth into racing and fostering a racing community.
Helping send our team to The 8 Metre World Cup in Scotland would not only support our team's pursuit of excellence in sailing but also contribute to fostering a more inclusive pathway for Youth Teams in the future. The IEMA board mentioned that based on the success of our appearance they intend to continue this tradition of supporting a youth team for each of the World Championships going forwards - further keeping the ball rolling for youth in sailing.
We have been racing together for the past 10 years and have grown to be a cohesive unit, and proudly have taken home some hardware over the years as a result of our prolonged hard work. We would like to extend thanks to our many important mentors throughout the years that chose to take the additional time and care working to explain things to us.