The F18 Canadian National Championship and F17 Canadian National Championship awards is based on artwork of the Canadian native artist Steven Hearns. First Nations is a term of ethnicity that refers to the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The total population is nearly 700,000 people.

My vision, for a Canadian National Championship, was to have awards that are typically Canadian, and in particular native Canadian.

Steven Hearns, First Nations artist

Steven Hearns lives in Elliott Lake, Ontario, Canada. His native background is the source of his vision. Bending the bold geometric style of traditional native art to his own purpose, Steven produces striking black and white abstractions. His artwork is a symbolic interpretation of the cultural philosophies and values inherent to the orginial inhabitants of North American. it speaks of a value system based on Harmony, Respect, Truth and Balance.

F17 awards - "The Gift", the Eagle

Eagle feathers are sacred things to Aboriginal people. If one comes your way, hold it gently. When you honour the feather, you honour the eagle. When you honour the eagle, you honour the Creator. The Creator gives us many gifts. All of which are sacred.

F18 awards - "The Messenger"

For aboriginal people, Eagle in Creator's messenger. Eagle reminds is that The Creator has given us many things. When Eagle comes to you, remember and give thanks to The Creator for the day, for all of Creation. Give thanks for your friends and family. Eagle reminds us to be thankful for those things which are most important.

People came from far, Puerto Rico, Mischa Heelmskerk, Netherlands, Robbie Daniel and John Casey from Florida, Nova Scotia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusets.

Our photographer, Joaquim Santos has provided a link to his website for you to see photos. Joaquim is a Toronto based photographer specializing in sports photography. If you would like to purchase high resolution images from this event, please contact Joaquim at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . His website is: www.eye4photos.ca

Vladimir of Storm Film will provide video that will be uploaded in the next few days.

Thank you to all of the amazing people that made this happen, I am overwhelmed with the tremendous help and support. The dream team was fantastic!

Lost and found: If you are missing items, let me know. I have a few things in lost and found.

Best, Karen-Ann

A much calmer day... but nobody seemed to mind after two huge days in a row of big wind and waves. Lake Ontario can be deceiving, yes a lake, but the attitude of an ocean. Pedro Colon told me - you can put Puerto Rico inside lake ontario and still have room for water!

It was windy all night. It was windy this morning. We knew it was going to be another exciting day, and it was!

The on water team has been amazing, the sailors are commenting. We had 4 mark boats, 1 jury boat out on the water and the committee boat. We put another power boat into use for safety near the harbour mouth.

Sailors that were on land, due to boat breakage and other reasons, were watching the racing from the fenceline. Then we heard a request from an F17 sailor on the VHF - I'm capsized, and being washed into the rocks at the mouth of the harbour, i need a safety boat.

Instantly people moved into action, people jumped over the fenceline, ran to the rock line and jumped into the water in their clothes. A mark boat was mobilized, and we put the Kirk into action as a safety boat, Rick Ward and Jan flew out of EYC towards the boat and sailor in distress.

After the rescue, Don Lawrence accompanied by another F17 sailor that had jumped from shore, Floris Van Laar sailed into the beach. I asked Don if he was okay, and he said fine, was the boat okay and he said; "It is amazing what 15 people will do holding a boat off the rocks, not even a scratch!".

One of the french crew got catapulted from the boat in a capsize, the boat moved fast away from him on its side. All the powerboats mobilized to try to find him. He was dressed in black so it took a while to find him. The safety boat found him and pulled him out of the water, Luc asked him if he was cold, he replied with his french accent: "Is there ice on the water, no! i am wearing a drysuit". He was asked if he wanted to go back to shore, and he said: "no, there is more sailing to be had, take me to my boat!".