The 49er is the newest Olympic Class design, and arguably the most exhilarating. It is often compared to Formula 1 racing, only on the water. With high speeds and thrilling crashes, the 49er is truly one of the most exciting classes in the Olympics. It requires a team with great agility and athletic ability. The 49er has been a part of the Olympics since Sydney 2000, making it still a relatively new class. However, its great appeal to racers of all ages has helped it grow into an extremely popular class in a very short time.

We have been sailing 49ers since January 2005, and Hunter has sailed an additional season in 2003. With only one year under our belt we have managed to climb the ranks of the national 49er scene, and we now have our sights on the Olympics in 2008.

   

Rob Dale

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Helm
CANRD6
April 6, 1987
Vancouver, British Columbia
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Optimist, Byte, 420

Currently Rob is a student at the University of Western Ontario where he is studying Medical Sciences. Rob has been sailing for 8 years, and only moved out of youth sailing in 2005. After meeting success in his youth career, he decided to pursue sailing with hopes of a gold medal at the Olympics and a World Championship title to his name. Apart from sailing he likes to ski Whistler mountain in the winter, as well as skimboard, skateboard, and road bike.

 

Hunter Lowden

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CANHL1
April 10, 1982
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Laser II, 29er

Hunter grew up sailing with his parents cruising in the waters of the southern coast of British Columbia. He was introduced to racing through the Learn to Sail program at West Vancouver Yacht Club, and competed in the BC and National Youth Circuit through his teenage years. After a successful youth sailing career in Laser 2's and a year in 29er's, he moved onto the 49er in 2003. In 2004, Hunter raced many different types of boats as the 49er circuit died down after January, and the Olympic selections had been made for many countries. The following year, Rob and Hunter teamed up to focus on the 2008 Olympics, and a World Championship. Besides sailing, Hunter is a student at the University of Victoria studying Astrophysics, and also enjoys snowboarding/skiing, and road biking in his time off.