Eric Holden honoured with Sail Canada offshore racing award

Following his successes so far in the Clipper Race, Henri Lloyd skipper Eric Holden has received the prestigious ‘Gerry Roufs Offshore Sailor of the Year’ Trophy at the 2013 Sail Canada Awards in Toronto.

The award is named in memorandum of Gerry Roufs, a Canadian sailor who was tragically lost at sea in the Southern Ocean whilst attempting to sail round the world in the 1996-97 edition of the Vendee Globe Race.

This is the second consecutive time Eric, a member of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, has been awarded the trophy, an accolade he is clearly proud of as he remarked: “It is a real honour to receive the Gerry Roufs Trophy. For me, the more sailing I can help inspire in Canada, the better.

“It certainly drives me to know how many people back home are following my progress in the race. I really appreciate the support. We still have a long way left to go however, so please do keep it up.”

Paddy Body, Executive Director, Sail Canada explained the reason behind Eric’s award: “For the second year in a row, Eric exemplifies leadership and outstanding talent in offshore racing. Last year, Eric was awarded the Gerry Roufs trophy for his success at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race and just recently for his ongoing achievements with Team Henri Lloyd in the Clipper Race. We are extremely proud of Eric and eager to watch his epic sailing story unfold this summer.”

This is the second Sail Canada Award Eric has received since he set sail in the Clipper 2013-14 Race. He was also awarded Sailor of the Month for November in 2013.