Cape Breton sailor wins regional award at Newport Bermuda Race

SYDNEY — A Cape Breton sailor and his crew captured a regional award in the Newport Bermuda Race, which wrapped up earlier this week.

Matt Stokes of Baddeck and the crew of the Blue Jay III took home the Canadian regional prize for the event for best performance by a vessel from the country.

As skipper of Blue Jay III, Stokes finished in third place in Class 15 in a time of 23:16:50 in the race that began June 17.

The race was won by a vessel named Hound in a time of 23:04:17.

In his youth, Stokes began sailing in the junior sailing program at the Bras d’Or Yacht Club in Baddeck.

The 42-year-old now lives in Canmore, Alta.