This past month, from June 6 to 10, in Desenzano, Italy, on Lake Garda, four Queen’s student-athletes, Mansell Styles, Sci ’25, Tate Howell, Kin ’25, Rachel Green, Kin ’24, and Rose Sbrolla ArtSci ’25, were selected to sail for Team Canada at the FISU University Championship.
The four Gaels were divided into two separate Canadian teams, one for the West, and one for the East, with Styles and Howell representing Team West, Styles as the Jib Trimmer, and Howell on Pit. Sbrolla was on Pit for Team East, with Green was the Jib Trimmer. Mansell Styles reflected on the opportunity to represent Canada and Queen’s on an international scale.
“It was pretty surreal, especially at the opening and closing ceremonies, they ran a sort of marching band parading through the town with all of our flags, playing our music. It was really special,” Styles said in an interview with The Journal.
While Styles mentioned for the most part “sailing is sailing,” wherever you are in the world, he noted that wild winds posed a significant challenge throughout the competition.
By the end of the weekend, Canada West, with Styles and Howell, finished in fourth place overall, only one point out of second place. However, Team East struggled to find the same success.
“The final eight boats in the fleet were super, super close. Every race could’ve gone to a different boat, it was very exciting,” Styles said.
Although competing against fellow Gaels and Canadian student-athletes, placing the two Canadian boats in separate fleets equivalent to heats if you were running in a track meet, shaped a more indirect form of competition between the four Gaels.
Styles also noted Canadian teams have historically struggled under the international spotlight but going into the championships with an underdog mentality only sweetened their success.
Team finished in first place, followed by Italy in second, and Singapore in third.
Teamwork is a central value towards succeeding on the water, after emphasizing the importance of communication, Styles reflected on the importance of stamina when racing.
“In Italy I was the Trimmer, usually on big boats you’ll have a primary and secondary Trimmer. This boat was a little bit smaller, so they only had one, which was me. Trimmers are responsible for trimming the sails on the front of the boat, it was probably the most physically demanding position, every maneuver you’re yanking on the line to switch a sail or to hoist a sail. The races lasted about 35 minutes, and with the force of the wind, it can get really exhausting,” Styles said.
Styles began sailing around the age of nine in Georgian Bay, ON., he said he recognized sailing at Queen’s is on an upward trajectory and implored upon current and prospective Queen’s students to get involved with the club.
“If you’re interested in sailing and you’re at Queen’s, or coming to Queen’s, come to our tryouts, or, we run a recreational program for students just to get into the water and experience it. The focus of the team is very much like we’re all here, to improve our academic career at Queen’s by sailing because it’s fun and it’s something that we’ve enjoyed for a lot of our lives. Just reach out if you’re interested, we’re happy to take anyone on the water,” Styles said.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].