The University of British Columbia (UBC) have been crowned the 2026 CICSA Keelboat National Champions, as the Dalhousie Sailing Team delivered a resilient performance to finish fourth overall at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
Competing on the picturesque but tactically demanding waters of English Bay, the "UBC 1" crew utilized their home-court advantage to perfection. Over three days of intense racing, the hosts demonstrated superior boat handling to clinch the national title, fending off a competitive field of Canada’s top collegiate programs.
The Dalhousie Tigers arrived in Vancouver with a three-person contingent that included Bermudian standout Nicole Stovell. Fresh off a season where she was recognized as the CICSA Female Skipper of the Year, Stovell was instrumental in navigating the Tigers through an unpredictable series of shifts and heavy traffic.
Despite the change from their familiar Atlantic conditions, the Dalhousie crew remained in the podium hunt until the final afternoon of racing. Their fourth-place finish underlines the program's consistency on the national stage, following their success at the Fleet Race Nationals earlier in the academic year.
The event, hosted by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, provided a world-class backdrop for the championship. Known for its varying tidal currents and coastal breezes, the venue tested the tactical depth of all twelve competing teams.
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