Montreal, March 5th, 2015

The Quebec Sailing Federation (FVQ) is proud and pleased to announce six athletes among those chosen for the 2015 National Sailing Team are from Quebec!

Martin Robitaille in the Finn class, along with Laurence Bonneau-Charland, Jean-Sébastien Fugère and Gabriel Verrier-Paquette in windsurfing, and Scott Lutes and Christine Lavallée in the Paralympic class

Junior World Champion in 2012, and member of the Club de voile des Laurentides, Martin Robitaille is quickly moving up in the Finn class; guided by Quebec Sailing Team Head Coach Rosie Chapman. Already an athlete on the Canadian Sailing team, Robitaille renewed his qualification for 2015. During the 2014 season, he competed in the Finn World Junior Championship in the Netherlands and the Finn Canadian Championships in Kingston where he won silver. He finished 18th at the World Cup in Miami and will be in Croatia next May for the European Championships in Finn.

Gabriel Verrier-Paquette also starts a new year with the Canadian team. Member of the Club de voile de Deux-Montagnes, Verrier-Paquette excels in the RS-X class. In addition to his experience in international competitions, last fall he was awarded the FVQ Evert Bastet trophy that recognizes outstanding performance of an athlete nationally and/or internationally over the last twelve months. We will be following him closely in his forthcoming competitions, namely in May at the Delta Lloyd Regatta in the Netherlands.

From Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Laurence Bonneau-Charland, a 25-year-old windsurfer and member of the Club Multivoile de Trois-Rivières, achieved her second qualification for the National Team! Passionate and determined, Bonneau-Charland participated in several World Championships and World Cups since her debut in windsurfing almost 5 years ago. She joined the Canadian team following her performance at the Miami Qualifier in January. Her next goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio this upcoming October at the World Championship RS-X in Oman.

Jean-Sébastien Fugère, member of the Club Multivoile and windsurfer, also secured his place on Team Canada in 2015. His perseverance and performance shown in the last World Cup in Miami earned him a qualification to the National team. His next step will be the Mindwinter regatta in Calema, Florida
These three windsurfing athletes are part of the FVQ windsurfing program, led by Dominique Vallée, Vice-President of the RS-X class and Quebec Windsurfing Team coach.

In Paralympics, Scott Lutes from the Pointe-Claire Yacht Club, continues to advance in the Sonar class. This summer, he had a great performance at the World Championship in Paralympic Sailing in Halifax. Lutes and his teammates won silver, allowing the country to qualify for the Paralympic Games in 2016! He and his teammates secured their spot on the National Team during the IFDS Championship.

Lastly, and also in Paralympics, Christine Lavallée racing in the 2.4mR class, made the National Team. Lavallée is passionate about sailing and has several national and international competitions under her belt. By joining the team, she proves once again her mastery of this discipline.

Congratulations to all the Quebec athletes as well to the Canadian Sailing Team. Good luck in your upcoming competitions!

Full Canadian Team