FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 7, 2017
43 Competitors from across North America arriving in Kelowna for next week’s 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup, September 11-15.
2017 REMAX Mobility Cup News Release September 7
KELOWNA, BC, September 7, 2017 – The 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup has 43 competitors on their way to Kelowna. Sailors are arriving from as far as St. Johns Newfoundland to Victoria and many cities across Canada plus U.S. racers are coming from California and Vermont. With 21 Gold boats and 22 Silver boats registered it is going to be an exciting week for competitors, volunteers and staff at the Kelowna Yacht Club. Hosted by the Disabled Sailing Association of BC – Okanagan Branch (DSA) and located at the Kelowna Yacht Club, the 26th annual Mobility Cup event organizers are ready to hold a first class event September 11-15.
Martin 16 boats on their way to the 2017 REMAX Mobility Cup, Kelowna, from across North America courtesy of CN Rail.
The first 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup Martin 16 race boats have arrived and are being transported on trains across North America to Kelowna courtesy of Canadian National Railway. The Martin 16 was designed in the 1990s by a well-known Canadian yacht designer Don Martin and his team. The boats are extremely stable and include custom equipment that allows racers with physical disabilities the mobility to sail, and are the one-design boats of choice for this event.
The Mobility Cup was initiated in 1991 in Vancouver by former Vancouver Mayor, Sam Sullivan, who started the Disabled Sailing Association of BC in 1989. Disabled sailing got its start at Expo 86 in Vancouver when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher donated a British made Sunbird sailboat to Rick Hansen in honour of his “Man in Motion World Tour”. In 1988 Rick Hansen presented this boat to Sam Sullivan, who subsequently used it to found the Disabled Sailing Association of BC.
Disable Sailing Association Competitors racing through the start line at the 2017 Commodore’s Cup Regatta in August’s training session.
The Disabled Sailing Association’s Okanagan Branch (DSAOB) has been a consistent training facility for local disabled sailors since 1993 and Kelowna competitors have raced in other Mobility Cups across Canada. The DSAOB sailors and many local and visiting volunteers are working hard finalizing all the details needed to run a successful Mobility Cup event and welcome visiting sailors and guests to our region.
The Kelowna Yacht Club has been integral in growing disabled sailing in Kelowna by offering use of their marina since 2009. The Kelowna Yacht Club’s annual Commodore’s Cup regatta celebrated its 71st year in 2017 and for the past years has run their regatta as a fundraiser with proceeds going to the Disabled Sailing Association. DSAOB member and competitor Howard Scott says: “I’m very excited about competing in this year’s Mobility Cup! We have a high level of competition coming, with as many as 24 – Martin16 sailboats in each fleet racing at once. Skills will definitely be put to the test, and I’m looking forward to a lot of fun all week!!”
National organization; Able Sail Network offers continuous support to the sport of sailing and have supported the Mobility Cup for many years. This year ViaSport is a major sponsor to the 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup and the organizing committee is very grateful for the resources and help they offer.
The 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup organizers appreciate all the sponsors and volunteers who have come on board to make this event happen. First on board was Title Sponsor Elton Ash of RE/MAX, Kelowna whose generous support got the event started. The entire event is run by volunteers, around 40 local volunteers and 40 visiting as well as the generous sponsorship from the Kelowna Yacht Club. Each sponsor is integral to the operation and running of the 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup and the event is made possible with their support, thank you: CN Rail, Dockside Marine, Via Sport, Kelowna Yacht Club, Hybrid Elevator, Can-Am Mobility, Krueger Electrical Ltd., Central Okanagan Foundation, Winn Rentals Ltd., Argus Properties Ltd., Paradise Estates, Smart Move Youth Sailing Initiatives and City of Kelowna.
photo –Volunteers using Hybrid Elevator’s lift to help competitor Ean Price into the Martin16 “Shredder”
“It’s hard to believe that Mobility Cup will be opening next Monday, September 11th. With contributions from so many, working on this since January of 2016, it will be fantastic to see everyone arriving to enjoy the fruits of our labours.” says Tracy Delorme, Co-Chair – 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup committee.
Tim Morton and his team at Shaw TV Kelowna’s video footage:
For more information on the 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup, contact:
Larry Clark
Co-Chair 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup
larryclarkbc@gmail.com
250-718-8498
Tracy Delorme
Co-Chair 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup
tracy.dsa@gmail.com
250-878-4772
Ean Price
President of Disabled Sailing Association Kelowna
ean@icanresourcegroup.com
Follow the event:
2017 Mobility Cup Event website: 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup
DSA website: Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia, Okanagan Branch (DSA)
Facebook Event Page: 2017 RE/MAX Mobility Cup Event
Facebook Mobility Cup Group: MobilityCup
Facebook DSA Page: DisabledSailingKelowna
Twitter Mobility Cup: MobilityCup
Thank you to the Sponsors who make this event possible:
Special thanks to these generous supporters:
Kelowna Downtown Marina | Propak Manufacturing | Bethesda Christian Association |
Prestige Beach House | Tree Brewing | Helly Hansen | North Sails | Sun Rype | Ramada
