Team Northern Ireland achieved 3rd place at The International Contest of Seamanship, in Midland, Ontario, Canada. This was a fantastic result in a field of 13 nations from all over the world.
Coxes Stuart Abraham, Michael Patton and Michael Mc Allister, lead the crew through an exhausting weeks racing, keeping spirits high and everyone working together.
Crew and gigs took part in sailing, rowing, slalom, oars and sails races with 12 other gigs. Captain’s Gig and Jack Stay Transfer events also took place.
The Northern Irelands’ 38ft wooden gig Harmonié was crewed by 15 young people from the Antrim, Ballyclare, Crumlin and Saintfield areas.
After a year of preparation, the crew and leaders had an eventful and strenuous 10 days training programme on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay National Park, Lake Huron. Here they camped and trained from 6am to 8pm while having the added stress of avoiding black bears and rattle snakes.
The team then moved to the town of Midland. Here the Northern Ireland crew excelled in many events, winning L’esprie, Technical Sailing and coming 2nd in the Navigation, Jack Stay Transfer and a sailing race.
They also placed 3rd in the Passage Race which consisted of 5 miles rowing and 1 mile sailing. This was quite an achievement for the small Northern Ireland team. This Race finished at Beausoleil Island where Northern Ireland had previously completed their training.
In Midland they met the other 12 crews. All 350 young people lived, ate and socialised together for the contest. Many new friendships were formed.
Crew members Nicola Wallace and Michael Duncan spoke at the closing dinner and award ceremony, saying, “It has been a tremendous experience being a member of the first Northern Ireland Team. It has given us the opportunity to meet and work with so many people.” “We are ecstatic to be here.”
The Northern Ireland Team won the Lance Lee Trophy for their technical sailing, expertise and boat handling.
Teams from Denmark, Canada, USA, France, Italy, Finland, Quebec, Great Britain, Ireland, Indonesia and an International crew took part.
Over the course of the trip the crew grew as individuals and as a team overcoming many obstacles and set backs together. During the closing ceremony speeches, Lance Lee, the founder of Atlantic Challenge and follower of Kurt Hahn’s Outward Bound principles, stated that, “The small Northern Ireland team showed great compassion and commitment throughout the competition, especially when crew members became injured and unable to compete. This particular crew showed the true meaning of Atlantic Challenge.”
Atlantic Challenge Northern Ireland would like to thank all of those who made this experience possible, including the Enkalon Foundation, Antrim Borough Council and every person that donated generously to our fundrasing events.
Full crew:
Michael McAllister, Michael Patton, Josh Montgomery, Nicola Wallace, Alannah Walker, Stuart Abraham, Naoimh McSparron, Kathy Patton, Niall Walker, Ruth Surgenor, Katie Monroe, Becky McAllister, Paul Joyce, Michael Duncan, Jamie Laughlin.
