Military returns to CISM sailing competition

Members of the CISM Sailing team: Lt(N) Samantha Morgan, Master Seaman Clayton Mills, Private Samuel Plamondon, and Captain Pierre Grignon prepare to depart the Boat House Docks in Naden for a training session on Esquimalt Harbour. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The emerald waters of Esquimalt Harbour became a scenic backdrop and a new beginning for Canada’s military sailing team.

Eight athletes and support staff held a five-day training camp at the base in advance of the 50th World Military Sailing Championships, June 14 to 21 at the Finnish Naval Academy near Helsinki, Finland.

It’s the first time Canada has participated in a Military CISM sailing event since the 2015 World Military Games in Mungyeong, South Korea.

The training camp was co-hosted by Naval Fleet School (Pacific), Canadian Forces Sailing Association, and the Disabled Sailing Association of Victoria.

Each day the team was hard at work launching their 23’ Sonar sailboats from the docks at the Naden boat shed, and then spending between eight and 12 hours on the water.

Training was conducted under the watchful eye of coach Lauri Kalkkinen, a former member of Switzerland’s national sailing team and a former army Sergeant, who currently works as the Executive Director of the Alberta Sailing Association.

“There are no returning sailors from 2014 on our team and our sailors are all coming from different levels of sailing,” said Kalkkinen. “Despite this, they have bonded and adapted very well. I enjoyed watching the transformation unfold and can see they are really getting together as a team and hitting their maneuvers a lot faster and more coordinated.”

Kalkinen said the coaching position was a perfect fit for him since it incorporates both his expertise as a professional sailor along with his understanding and experience being a former soldier. The team’s manager Lieutenant (Navy) Kevin Pallard is also offering his assistance for many of the same reasons as Kalkinen.

The Halifax-based Combat Systems Engineer with the navy is a life-long sailor who was first introduced to sailing as a member of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. During the camp, Lt(N) Pallard was kept busy arranging travel itineraries and other logistical issues. One of his biggest tasks was getting the team time in a larger boat which more closely resembled and handled like the 26’ J-80 sailboats they are using at the world military championships.

Lt(N) Pallard says he hopes Canada gives opponents “a run for their money” while in Helsinki.

The four-person team is: Lt(N) Samantha Morgan, a Marine Systems Engineer from CFB Halifax; Master Seaman Clayton Mills a Marine Technician who works aboard HMCS Calgary; Private Samuel Plamondon, a sapper from CFB Valcartier, and Canadian Army Captain Pierre Grignon, who works for the Canadian Joint Operations (CJOC) Headquarters in Ottawa.

For more information and updates, visit the World Military Sailing Championships Facebook page.