The Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame, Sail Canada and the Great Lakes Museum are pleased to announce the 14 individuals who are part of the class of 2024 that will be inducted into the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, in British Columbia, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Details regarding tickets are available below.

Here are the 2024 inductees into the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame:

• Caroll-Ann Alie: Three-time World Champion in windsurfing (1984, 1985 and 1988) – Gracefield, QC
• Rob Ball: long-time C&C Yachts Chief Designer (posthumous) – Oakville, ON
• David Cook: 1996 Paralympic Silver Medalist in Sonar (posthumous) – Victoria, B.C.
• Jackie Gay: 2016 Paralympic Silver Medalist in Skud – Victoria, B.C.
• Eric Jespersen: 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist in Star – Port Alberni, B.C.
• Ken Kelly: 1996 Paralympic Silver Medalist in Sonar – Moose Jaw, SK
• Stacie Louttit: 2008 Paralympic Bronze Medalist in Skud 18 – Victoria, B.C.
• Brian MacDonald: 2000 Paralympic Bronze Medalist in Sonar – Vancouver, B.C.
• Ross MacDonald: 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist in Star and 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist in Star – Vancouver, B.C.
• Don Martin: designer and builder including the Martin 16 – Vancouver, B.C.
• John McRoberts: 2008 Paralympic Bronze Medalist in Skud 18 and 2016 Paralympic Silver Medalist in Skud – Victoria, B.C.
• Kirk Westergaard: 1996 Paralympic Silver Medalist in Sonar – Victoria, B.C.
• David Williams: 2000 Paralympic Bronze Medalist in Sonar (posthumous) – Vancouver, B.C.
• Mike Wolfs: 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist in Star – Mississauga, ON

The Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame is a collaboration between The Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Museum (formerly known as Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston) and Sail Canada. Inductees must be Canadian citizens and can be inducted in any of the three categories: sailor, technical or contributor.

For the time being, inductees are chosen by the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame Management Committee, with representation from across the country. The selection process is based on criteria established in the CSHOF By-Laws. In the future, it is intended that the nomination process will be opened up to the sailing public.

As per the By-Laws, any Canadian sailor who wins an Olympic or a Paralympic medal, or a World Championship in an Olympic or Paralympic class is considered an automatic inductee. In 2024, 12 of the 14 inductees have been chosen on that criterion, including 8 in the Paralympic classes, including seven coming from British Columbia.

The remaining two were chosen in recognition of their lifetime in the design and building of Canadian sailing craft: Rob Ball, a long-time Chief Designer at C&C Yachts, and Don Martin, a Canadian boat designer and builder, including the Martin 16.

“The Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame aims to remember some of our best sailors, technical experts and contributors across the countries. This year will be no exception with a total of 14 inductees, including 8 medalists at the Paralympic Games and three at the Olympic Games. Congratulations to all of you!”, said Kate MacLennan, Chair of Sail Canada’s Board of Directors.

“I would also like to thank our partners, the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame as well as all the volunteers involved, and the Great Lakes Museum.”

“We hope to see many members of our Canadian sailing community at the 2024 Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame induction event at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club in October!”

Get your tickets now

Sailing fans can now buy tickets for the 2024 induction ceremony to be held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 3811 Point Grey Road, Vancouver, B.C., from 2 pm to 5 pm on Saturday, October 5^th, 2024.

The cost is $30 per person and includes a one-year membership to the Great Lakes Museum. Seating will be limited to 150 people with priority given to family and friends of the inductees. Media will also be invited to attend. Tickets can now be purchased online at https://www.sailing.ca/product/2024-canadian-sailing-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/. 

About Sail Canada

Established in 1931, Sail Canada is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the country. Sail Canada is a leading international sailing nation, proud of its world class athletes, lifelong participants and inclusive culture. The organization and its members are committed to excellence by developing and training its leaders, athletes, sailors, instructors, coaches and officials. With the valued support from our partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations and our member clubs, schools, organizations and stakeholders, sailing is promoted in all its forms. By setting standards and delivering programs from home pond to podium for Canadians of all ages and abilities, from dinghies to keelboats, cruising to navigation, windsurfing to powerboating and accessible sailing, Sail Canada sets sail for all, sail to win and sail for life.

A sport in the Olympic program since the first Games in 1896, except in 1904, the pursuit of success in these Games is what fuels the focus of Sail Canada as Canadian athletes have so far achieved nine Olympic and five Paralympic medals. For more details: www.sailing.ca.

About the Great Lakes Museum

The Great Lakes Museum (formerly known as the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston) is a charitable organization founded in 1975, whose mission is to inspire an enduring connection to the maritime heritage of Kingston and the Great Lakes. The museum holds a vast collection of artefacts, archival materials, periodicals and ship plans, including the C&C Yachts and George Cuthbertson Collections. For more details: www.marmuseum.ca.

Information: 

Patrick Godbout
Communications Manager
Email: patrick@sailing.ca
Phone: 514-213-9897

Rob Mazza
Chair, Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame Management Committee
Email: robertLmazza@gmail.com