As we continually strive for excellence in Regatta Management, we look at other international events, communicate with participants and seek the opinion of our partners for input and ideas on improvements. The CORK includes events for all ages and experience levels. This new format will provide will provide appropriate challenges for the diverse fleets and skill levels we have in each event. Based on feedback from the Sailing Community, volunteers and partners, the Board of CORK/Sail Kingston has decided to modify the competition format as described.

What does each event focus on??

The International Event will focus on race training, including such items as video debriefs for participants, coaching on the water, coach training and mentoring, officials training and mentoring, etc. The age and experience level of the participants will require careful evaluation of wind range and sailing conditions for the athletes. This event will provide excellent training opportunities for coaches and officials in support of strengthening the structure of the sport of sailing.

The Olympic Classes Event will mainly focus on Olympic Classes, but will include development classes, such as Laser Radial men, 29’er and CII. This High Performance event will be geared towards the more experienced sailors, providing racing in an international setting and in a race format commonly used at comparable events internationally. The goal is to qualify high level ISAF Grading for more classes. This event will allow for training and mentoring of officials striving to achieve or maintain International level certification, and will attract International level officials from other countries.

The Offshore and One Design Classes event will be a participation event, drawing participation from national and international classes and allow for the hosting of one design keelboat and dinghy events as well as Able Sail events. The event will attract a wide spectrum of highly competitive and recreational racers, providing a diverse atmosphere of competitiveness and fun.

The three events combine to include all ages and experience levels, providing skill appropriate events for developing athletes and elite athletes as well as the lifelong sailor.

The CORK Fall event will continue to be an elite event, providing a high level competition in the fall to round out the Canadian competitive season and to provide yet another opportunity for these athletes to participate in a highly competitive event in Canada.

ISAF grading - The only two annual Grade 1 events in North America are Miami OCR and CORK Regatta for Laser and Radial. The Annual ISAF Ranking is important for Canadian sailors as it is used as a base to award participation spots at the ISAF Worlds.

Other classes at CORK and the Fall regatta has previously achieved grade 2 or 3 status. Qualifying for ISAF grading requires the organizer to fulfill a set of requirements, including regatta management criteria and participation criteria. The goal is to achieve top grading for more Olympic Classes and having an elite event will make it easier to comply with the ISAF requirements.

Our aim is to stay participant focused with a goal to deliver excellent regatta management and sport development opportunities in support of the long term athlete development model.

Volunteers - what does this mean for you??

Last year, the August events lasted 18 days - the new format is 12 days, with each event lasting 3-5 days.

CORK welcomes officials and volunteers to join the team. Volunteers are welcome to help with any of the listed regattas, for the whole event or just for a few days as your schedule allows. Check our website for details on tasks.

Provincial Associations, Clubs and Teams

The new format has been developed to provide opportunities for all your sailors. The annual goal of the Junior Club may be participation in the International Event, while the Provincial Team and senior Club Race Team athletes will sail the Olympic Classes event. Other members in Keelboat and Dinghy classes, can still experience a major event by attending the combined Offshore and One Design classes event. (This event also coincides with the famous Kingston Blues Fest).

We welcome your questions and invite feedback and comments.

2009 CORK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS *