Will Keilty captured the 2026 Optimist North American title on Halifax Harbour.
A 15-year-old sailor from Kingston has become the first Canadian ever to win an International Optimist Dinghy Association championship.
Will Keilty captured the 2026 Optimist North American title on Halifax Harbour, racing against a 172-boat fleet from across North and South America, the Caribbean, Japan and Hong Kong.
The Kingston Yacht Club sailor overcame a difficult start to the regatta after finishing 41st in the opening race and competing in one of the older charter boats supplied for the event. Keilty rebounded in dramatic fashion, winning six consecutive races to climb to the top of the standings and eventually secure the championship by eight points over American Briggs Kossmann.
Keilty credited support from longtime teammate Kai Luther and guidance from Team Canada coach Federico Donzino for helping turn the regatta around.
Along with the individual title, Keilty also helped Team Canada earn bronze in the North American Team Racing Championship earlier in the week.
Story by Brian Turner
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