Fraser Smith and Charlotte Clark from 5 Rainbow Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps in Victoria will compete in the National Sea Cadet Regatta this summer in Kingston, Ont.
The pair qualified for the event after placing in the 40th annual National Qualifying Regatta held in Victoria last weekend.
Twenty cadets from across B.C. competed in teams of two during the three-day selection camp and regatta.
The goal of the National Qualifying Regatta is to select the eight strongest cadet sailors to form the Pacific National Team.
Smith and Clark were the only same-corps team to qualify and placed second overall in the regatta.
“I feel we have a strong team for the national regatta this year,” said Lt. (N) Tracy Terry, water operations officer for the cadet program in B.C.
“These top sailors have a drive to win, know the racing rules of sailing, are committed to practising and can work together in a team environment to sail the boat fast in a variety of wind conditions.”
The National Qualifying Regatta was held in partnership with the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.
“The cadet sailing program runs in line with the Royal Victoria Yacht Club goals to bring together competitors from all parts of Western Canada to train together to develop racing, race management and coaching skills, sportsmanship and friendship,” said Steve McBride, the yacht club’s head coach.
“Every cadet who competed this weekend has an increased connection to sailing as a sport for life.”