The Lunenburg Yacht Club (LYC) was abuzz as it hosted the Mobility Cup last month, an international sailing regatta for people with disabilities. Athletes traveled from as far as California and Hawai’i, while volunteers, local businesses, and participants came together to make the competition a memorable success.
For sailors like Gerry Burns from Vancouver, BC, the event was as much about community as it was about competition. “The races have been awesome for conditions and terrible for my results,” Burns joked. “I’ve had some good starts, had some great racing and good battles on the water. The conditions have been almost perfect every day.”
Some of the sailors created their own ‘Mobility Village’ – a playful nod to the Olympic Village – near the LYC facilities. “We had an opening ceremony on our first day right downtown Lunenburg, right on the waterfront – that was really cool,” said Burns. “We’ve had some great events right in the marina and up at our Mobility Village of vans and RVs. It’s been a great time.”
Burns noted the kindness of the local community helping out with the event. “The people have been really great. The locals have been helpful, and it looks like a lot of participation from them helping out,” he said. “A lot of townspeople came down to watch and take it in and meet us. It’s really nice, and I definitely want to come back.”
