Conestoga Sailing Club members win North American championship
TORONTO - A North American sailing championship trophy has returned to Conestoga Sailing Club after more than 50 years, as Leo and Joanne Van Kampen scored a four-race sweep in very tricky conditions on Toronto’s Humber Bay on Aug . 17 and 18.
“We read the wind right, we managed to get great starts in clear air, and set our sails well” said Leo.
“Everything just came together this time. It was a wonderful experience” Joanne added.
The Van Kampen’s first introduction to sailing came when Joanne gave Leo a gift of sailing lessons at the Conestoga Sailing Club about 15 years ago.
“We got the bug,” said Leo. “We started with lessons and just went from there.
“The basics of sailing were easy to grasp, and there is always more to learn and put into practice,” he said.
“We first sailed the club boats and then bought our own.
“We started racing in regattas and participating in rallies around the province, and it grew from there,” said Joanne.
