Henri Lloyd skipper receives Canadian sailing recognition

Canada’s national governing body for sailing, Sail Canada today announced Henri Lloyd skipper Eric Holden, 33, from Vancouver as their ‘Canadian Sailor of the Month’ for November.

The award acknowledges sailing achievements by Canadians involved or associated with sailing and was awarded to Eric in recognition of his achievements in leading the overall race standings in "the world’s toughest endurance challenge", the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

After Clipper Race officials informed him of the news, Eric Holden responded proudly: “The support I have received back home has been overwhelming. We have a great sailing heritage and I am doing everything I can to encourage the development in offshore sailing in Canada.”

Justin Taylor, Clipper Race Director commented: “Our congratulations go to Eric for this achievement. He is certainly making his crew, his country, Henri Lloyd and everyone at the Clipper Race very proud indeed.”

Eric Holden was first introduced to the Clipper Race in 1999 after his sister competed in two legs of the 1998-1999 race. He was the Weather Forecaster for the Canadian sailing team at London 2012 and was part of the first Canadian team to win the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race in the race’s 106-year history. Eric is now working on his aim to becoming the first Canadian skipper to claim victory in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. 

Eric’s Henri Lloyd team has finished on the podium for three of the four races so far completed and is currently in second place in Race 5, which ends in Sydney next week.  To read Eric's daily skipper reports click HERE 

To read the full Sail Canada article, click HERE