Gordon Cook and Ben Remocker have been sailing 49ers for 9 and 6 year respectively, and together since 2003. The 2008 Olympics in Beijing is the first trip to an Olympics for each, and the first for any Canadian 49er team. Ben and Gordon have been training full time since the spring of 2006 when support from Canada in all it's various forms was able to sustain a prolonged absence from gainful employment. Since then it has been a whirlwind of traveling the world in search of the best winds, good training and top regattas.

 

Before teaming up together each went to Queen's University in the legendary sailing town of Kingston, Ontario. Gordon got his degree in Engineering Physics while Ben did his in Mechanical engineering as well as economics. Both spent 5 years at Queen's instead of the usual 4 as Gordon spent time campaigning for the 2000 Olympics in 49er and Ben did two degrees instead of one.

 

Before heading to university both raced laser II's on the Canadian youth circuit with Gordon also having raced lasers and optimists before hand.

 

We would like to thank all the people who have helped us race to the top of our ability. First of all is our parents who have been the foundation of our success from the start. Each of our yacht clubs, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, and Royal Vancouver Yacht Club have supported our development from the time we were new into sailboat to the present. Sport Canada, the Canadian Yachting Association and the PJ Phalen Foundation provide the bulk of our financial support that allows us to train and race full time. Further contributions come from Hudson's Bay Company, Samson Ropes, Pacific Sport, Ontario Sport and are greatly appreciated. It's great to know there are so many people cheering for us as we take on the worlds best skiff sailors!