Canadian Sailor enters SolOceans Race

Phil Paxton has officially announced he will enter the first ever SolOceans® solo around-the-world sailing competition. The race will begin on October 25, 2009 and feature competitors from around the world. What makes the SolOceans race unique is that all competitors race using Veolia Oceans® one-design Bostik 16-metre sailboats with identical sails and equipment. Paxton is currently seeking sponsors, including a title sponsor to name the boat.

Phil Paxton has made several solo oceanic voyages starting in 1979. He's crossed every ocean at least once, and spent two years cruising the South Pacific with his family. This will be the first time Paxton has attempted to sail solo around the world – a venture requiring skill and endurance. Paxton just sailed from France to New York aboard the first boat built for the race, identical to the vessel he will be sailing.
[www.soloceans.com | www.globalsails.ca]

Boats win one-third of Canada's Olympic medals

Six of Canada's 18 Olympic medals were won by Canadian athletes using oars and paddles!

1. Rowing - Men's Eights with Coxswain (Gold Medal) Kyle Hamilton (Richmond BC), Adam Kreek (London Ont), Dominic Seiterle (Victoria BC), Malcolm Howard (Victoria BC), Jake Wetzel (Saskatoon SK), Andrew Byrnes (Toronto ON), Ben Rutledge (Cranbrook BC), Kevin Light (Sidney BC), Brian Price (Belleville ON).
   
2. Rowing - Men's Pair (Silver Medal) Dave Calder (Victoria BC) and Scott Frandsen (Kelowna BC)
   
3. Rowing - Men's Lightweight Sculls (Bronze Medal) Iain Brambell (Victoria BC), Jon Beare (Toronto ON), Mike Lewis (Victoria BC), Liam Parsons (Thunder Bay ON)
   
4. Rowing - Women's Lightweight Double Sculls (Bronze Medal) Melanie Kok (St. Catharines ON) and Tracy Cameron (Shubenacadie NS)
   
5. Kayaking - Men's K-1 500m (Silver Medal) Adam van Koeverden (Oaville ON)
   
6. Canoeing - Men's C-1 1000m (Bronze Medal) Thomas Hall (Pointe-Claire PQ)
   

In canoeing, men's C-2 1000m, Canadians Andrew Russell and Gabriel Beauchesne-Sevigny finished 6th Canada's sailing team qualified in 9 out of 11 boat classes and had several top-10 results. Oskar Johansson (Oakville ON) and Kevin Stittle (Orangeville ON) were 4th in Tornado. Chris Cook (Toronto) was 5th in Finn. Mike Leigh (Vancouver) finished 9th in Laser. [Olympic news: www.cbc.ca/olympics]