Kingston, ON — New double-handed, 470 sailing team, James Fair and Emilie Tschanz, have officially launched their campaign for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The mixed 470 class was a new addition to the Olympics Games in Paris 2024 – but no Canadian team qualified. Fair and Tschanz are gearing up to be the first team in Canadian history to compete in the mixed 470 class. The duo brings years of sailing experience, determination, and a shared dream to represent Canada on the world stage.
Fair, originally from Kingston, ON, has been sailing for 17 years. A gold medalist at the 2022 Canada Games, he recently competed with the Canadian Sailing Team at the ILCA World Championships in Morocco. James is currently studying engineering at Queen’s University. While his roots are firmly in Kingston, his family resides in Victoria, BC, a place that allows him to train year-round in Canada.
Tschanz, from Obersimmental, Switzerland, has dual Swiss Canadian citizenship and has been sailing for 12 years. She represented Switzerland on the international circuit as a member of the Swiss Sailing Team before choosing to pursue her Olympic dream with Team Canada. Emilie is currently completing a double major in Biology, Psychology and Education at the University of Toronto.
The two currently balance an intense training schedule, travelling back and forth to sail before the lake freezes. They first met as competitors at the ILCA 4.7 World Championships in 2019. Now teammates, with Tschanz driving the boat and Fair crewing, they would be the first team in Canadian history to represent Canada in the Mixed 470 boat at the Olympic Games.
“This campaign is a dream come true for both of us,” said Tschanz. “We’re committed to working hard, representing Canada, and making our country proud.”
Fair adds, “Canada missed qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the 470 class. We’re determined to put Canada back on the map in 2028.”
With their sights set on Los Angeles, James and Emilie are training rigorously and plan to continue competing internationally to gain experience and build momentum. They are currently building their support team, focusing on fundraising and partnership development. Their campaign is a community effort, and they are calling on Canadians to join them in their Olympic journey.
For updates, upcoming events, and ways to support their campaign, Canadians can follow James and Emilie at https://www.instagram.com/
