Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Canada's Georgia Lewin-LaFrance and her sister Antonia Lewin-LaFrance, overtake Germany at the mark while competing in the women's skiff race, the 49erFX, Sunday July 28, 2024, on the first day of the 2024 Summer Olympics sailing competition in Marseille, France. The sisters won the first race of the day for Canada. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
By The Canadian Press

Canada’s Lewin-LaFrance sisters claim sailing gold in Grand Slam regatta

Apr 4, 2026 | 9:52 AM

PALMA — Canadian sailors Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance won the gold medal in the 49erFX class in the Princess Sofia Trophy on Saturday.

The sisters from Chester, N.S., started the day in second and a point behind reigning world champions Paula Barcelo and Maria Cantero of Spain.

The Lewin-LaFrance siblings took over the lead in the last race of the competition to claim gold in the first Grand Slam regatta of the season.

The top 10 teams in qualifying competed in the two final races. The Canadians carried over their accumulated net points minus those from their worst performance.

Antonia and Georgia were fourth and the Spanish ranked first in the first race of the final.

Fire spreads to house
Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire
Apr 02, 2026
Youth Health Services
Youth immunization, sexual health clinic opening in Vernon
Apr 02, 2026
Displaced For A Week
Some residents still displaced from fatal apartment fire
Apr 01, 2026

But Barcelo and Cantero dropped to 10th in the second race. The Canadians placed fifth to take over the points lead.

Sophie Steinlein and Catherine Bartelheimer from Germany earned the silver medal and the Spaniards the bronze.

Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance were bronze medallists in the world championship and gold medallists in the European championship last year.

They placed 11th in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The Canadians will compete in the second of five regattas in this year’s Grand Slam series April 18-25 in the French Olympic Week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Other Matters

Ski Hill Celebrations
Seismic Spring Festival goes at SilverStar this weekend
Spring skiing reaches its peak this weekend as the Seismic Spring Festival wraps up at SilverStar Mountain Resort. The festivities ramp up with the Spring Queening terrain park events Friday through Sunday, as well as multiple other events running through the weekend.Saturday, April 4Retro DaySpring QueeningSovereign2S...
Apr 04, 2026
Read More
Calling for provincial help
Regional mayors outline priorities
Regional mayors have highlighted their most pressing concerns and needs from the province.A media release from the Mayors of the Okanagan Thursday, April 2, stated a priority remained public safety, especially increased investment in crown prosecutors in the Interior.One aspect highlights a lack of a voluntary treatmen...
Apr 03, 2026
Read More
volunteers needed
Get involved in Kelowna's City of Gastronomy future
Kelowna's new international designation as a City of Gastronomy through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is moving into its next phase.That will be the formation of a new Advisory Council and upcoming opportunities for community members to get involved.Two public info sessions are planned for April 14 and you can lea...
Apr 03, 2026
Read More
Fire spreads to house
Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire
Smoke billowed over Okanagan Lake after a fire broke out in a gated community Thursday afternoon.Vernon Fire Rescue Services received a report of a grass fire at the Cameron Point community off Delcliffe Road, south of Hurlburt Park, at around 2 p.m. April 2."Upon arrival crews found a fire that had started on the...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More
Community Safety
Speed Watch program resuming in Vernon
Volunteers will be taking to the streets to ensure motorists are being safe behind the wheel.Speed Watch kicks off in Vernon Tuesday, April 7.The program sees volunteers out monitoring drivers to ensure they are driving safely and within the speed limit.In 2025, the program saw volunteers donate over 420 hours of their...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More
System Upgrade
Central Okanagan switches to new emergency alert system
Central Okanagan Emergency Management is upgrading how it delivers urgent public safety information with a new system called Alertable by PEASI. The service replaces the current email notifications and allows residents to receive alerts through multiple channels, including mobile app notifications, text messages, email...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More
Matching Funds
KGH Foundation launches $2.5 million campaign for emergency department
The KGH Foundation is raising $2.5 million to improve Kelowna General Hospital's Emergency Department - the final phase of its $40 million Closer to Home Than You Think campaign.The department saw 101,089 visits in 2024-25, making it B.C.'s second-busiest after Surrey Memorial Hospital and busier than some large urban ...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More
Supporting sport, rec and community organizations
Funtastic accepting applications for its Community Grant Program
The organization that puts on the annual slo-pitch tournament and music festival is looking to support local sports groups.Funtastic Sports Society has opened the application process for its annual Community Grant Program.The organization has been offering these grants since it was founded in 1985, and over that time a...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More
Youth Health Services
Youth immunization, sexual health clinic opening in Vernon
Youth in the North Okanagan are getting more access to health services.Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon and District (CMHA Vernon), in partnership with Interior Health, will open a free drop-in sexual health and immunization clinic for youths aged 12 to 24 on Thursdays starting April 16."The focus of the ...
Apr 02, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Fire spreads to house
Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire
Apr 02, 2026
Youth Health Services
Youth immunization, sexual health clinic opening in Vernon
Apr 02, 2026
Displaced For A Week
Some residents still displaced from fatal apartment fire
Apr 01, 2026
High Fatal Overdose Risk
Drug alert issued in Vernon
Apr 01, 2026
Parkrun
Local teacher bringing global running group to the North Okanagan
Apr 01, 2026