Montreal, May 22th, 2015 - The qualifications for the Pan Am Games in the Lightning class were held in Toronto last weekend during the Ice Breaker Regatta.This regatta regrouped over 100 sailors from different provinces and offered very light sailing conditions. In the Lightning class, seven races were disputed and the team composed of Jay Deakin, Chantal Léger and Jamie Allen from Beaconsfield Yacht Club finished in first place, qualifying them for the Pan Am Games! They will be the only team from Quebec to compete in any sailing event during those games.
The 2015 summer Pan Am Games will be held in Toronto and will regroup over 7600 athletes in 36 different sports. In sailing, 10 different classes will be present and some of the world’s best sailors will compete for gold. The team driven by Jamie Allen will likely do very well since they have an impressive background. Jay was world Champion in Lightning class in 1989 and Chantal participated at the Athens Olympic games in 2004.
Even more impressive is the fact that the team managed to qualify for the games in less than ideal conditions: Jay broke his leg recently and sailed with a cast this past weekend. A true mark of determination!
Congratulations and good luck at the games!
All Canadian athlete for the Pan Am
Credit photo: Bill Claussen
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