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Dedicated to succeed and inspire
The name Team UCAN2 best represents our team’s composition and attitude…
“two Canadian teams working together—dedicated to succeed and to inspire”.
Team Biographies
David and John earned a Silver Medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, and more recently, placed 2nd and 3rd at the Two Person World Championships in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2004. These two sailors have a proven track record that has attracted significant media attention.
 David Cook – Helm. David’s major sailing accomplishments include: a Silver Medal at the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996, First in Class at Whidbey Island Race Week in 1995, Pacific Northwest’s major sailing regatta, Second at the Hobie Trapseat Worlds in 2003, and Third Place at the IFDS Two Person Worlds in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2004. He was also the founder and manager of the Victoria Sailing Foundation, a registered charity since 2000 that helps youth-at-risk and people with disabilities build their self-esteem. David has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a deteriorating neurological disease. He is an inspirational speaker, woodworker and retired projects officer with the Canadian Forces. David has sailed and raced since the age of 18. David brings to the team his past international sailing experience, dedication and leadership.
 Brenda Hopkin – Crew. Brenda’s sailing accomplishments include many well placed finishes in local open-fleet racing, as well as at Whidbey Island and Antigua Race Week.Considering Brenda’s disability, and the fact she did foredeck on large keelboats, her determination and sailing skills are very impressive. She first raced with David in 1992 at a disabled regatta in Newport Rhode Island. Brenda had one of her legs amputated in her twenties due to a vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver. She operates her own forestry consulting business, specializing in management planning to address sustainability issues and forest certification. Brenda has sailed and raced for over 15 years. Brenda brings to the team great problem-solving and organizational skills, a sense of humour and a passion for her sport of sailing combined with a keen desire to improve and succeed.
 John McRoberts – Helm. John’s sailing accomplishments include: 1st at Mobility Cup in 2000, 1st at 2.4 Metre North American Championships in 2001, 2nd at the Disabled Two Person Worlds in 2004 and 3rd at the Hobie Trapseat Worlds in 2005. He was also the alternate for the silver medal winning Canadian team at the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996. After a diving injury in 1981 John became a C6-7 quadriplegic. He is a professional sailing skipper who helps youth-at-risk build their self-esteem, and an inspirational speaker. John has sailed since the age of 9. John brings to the team great problem solving and communication skills, a keen desire to represent his country, enthusiasm and a positive sense of humour.
Stacie Louttit – Crew. Stacie has sailed recreationally for over twenty years and has raced sailboats for three plus years as both crew and skipper in local open fleet races. Stacie volunteers her services as a board member and treasurer for the Disabled Sailing Association of BC Victoria Branch, a not for profit organization that supports disabled sailing. She is also a financial management consultant with IBM's Business Consulting Services in Victoria, BC. In 1994, Stacie injured her spinal cord during a ski accident at Whistler Blackcomb. Stacie brings value to the team through her competitive spirit and a strong desire to improve her racing skills.
 Steve McBride – Coach. Steve is a Level 4 National Sailing Coach and is the new Sailing Director for the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. He has been the Head Coach for the Alberta Sailing Association for the previous two years, and has also held the positions of Manitoba Provincial Coach and Prairie Region Sea Cadet coach. Steve attended the Western Canada and Canada Summer Games as a youth athlete, and has coached athletes from Opti's to 49er's at local, regional, and international events. He has sailed since the age of 5, but started sailing competitively at age 14, and began coaching at age 16. Steve brings to the team over 15 years of coaching experience, extreme dedication, technical expertise and love of the sport. You will be hard pressed to find a dinghy Steve has not sailed, and his knowledge of skiffs will be an asset with the new UD18.
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