Festivoile 2024: Young sailors chart the course in Aylmer

Tashi Farmilo

The 2024 edition of Festivoile, held at the Aylmer Marina, marked the opening event of the Quebec Circuit. Despite the rain showers and thunderstorm risks, the regatta provided Quebec's youth, aged 9 to 18, with the opportunity to commence their competitive sailing season.

Following the resounding success of previous Festivoile editions, Tristan King, the head coach at the Grande-Rivière Sailing Center School, remarked, "The Aylmer event has become one of the must-attend stops on the Quebec Circuit." King, a Physical Education student at the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières and a passionate sailor, emphasized, "The CVGR Sailing School annually introduces over 1500 young people to sailing in the Outaouais region, fostering a love for the sport and building essential skills."

Carmen Denis, coach at the Deux-Montagnes Sailing Club and a prominent figure in high-performance sailing in Quebec, highlighted the endurance and skills required by young sailors. "No other sport demands athletes as young as eight years old to assert their autonomy regarding equipment preparation, safety, navigation, and managing fatigue and weather risks," she stated. "These regattas are a true test of character and resilience. It is incredibly rewarding to watch these young sailors grow and excel."

Denis, who also sees herself as an educator, added, "It's very moving to watch them grow in this school of life. They perfect their knowledge, refine their race strategies, and develop values of respect and teamwork while having fun and making friends."

The Outaouais youth performed admirably in the competition, as they vied for top positions in their respective sailing classes, Optimist and ILCA (Laser). As tradition dictates, the event began on Saturday morning with a skipper’s meeting to officially start the event and outline course details and procedures for stormy weather. The athletes then competed in four races. After a good night's rest, the activities resumed on Sunday morning for athletes, parents, volunteers, and organizers. The medal ceremony celebrated the winners.

Several regional competitors stood out: Liam Gill from CVGR finished 3rd in the Optimist class, and Clothilde Hasbani, also from CVGR, secured 3rd place in the ILCA 4 class.

Photo caption: The 2024 Festivoile in Aylmer marked the opening of the Quebec Circuit, showcasing young sailors aged 9 to 18 in a competitive regatta despite challenging weather, with notable performances from local athletes.

Photo credit: Courtesy Festivoile