Nicolas Tosi of Gatineau, Quebec, named Sail Canada Coach of the Year

The award is being handed out during National Coaches Week

Sail Canada announced today that Nicolas Tosi of Gatineau, Quebec, has been selected Sail Canada Coach of the Year for 2025 as the country celebrates National Coaches Week, an annual event which ends on Sunday.

The Sail Canada Coach of the Year Award is presented annually to a coach who demonstrates high coaching skills and contributes to sporting excellence by offering a healthy attitude towards winning and enjoying the sport, in addition to having shown effectiveness in training. The winners are Sail Canada certified and registered coaches who demonstrate and have made a significant impact on athletes’ performances at competitions, and who reinforce the spirit of sport values to her/his athletes, measured by a respect for the game, a love for sport, a respect for others and a commitment to fair and ethical sport.

Nominations were evaluated based on a time period ranging from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

“’I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to receive the Sail Canada Coach of the Year Award for 2025,” said Nicolas Tosi. “Coaching has always been about much more than results for me — it’s about helping athletes grow so that they can challenge themselves, enjoy the sport, and become better people along the way.”

“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible athletes I’ve had the privilege of working with, as well as the families, clubs, fellow coaches, and everyone who support them. I’m very fortunate to be part of such a passionate sailing community.”

“I’m especially excited to continue building forward with the Montréal Youth Sailing Team and our growing partnerships with other clubs and programs. I believe collaboration is a huge part of creating more opportunities for young sailors and strengthening the future of our sport.”

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, but even more excited about what’s still ahead. Thank you to Sail Canada for this recognition and, most importantly, to all the athletes who continue to inspire me every day.”

From the international scene to supporting the next generation of sailors

Nicolas Tosi is a sailor with extensive experience in high-level competition, having raced in the Nacra 17 and 49er classes, who later transitioned into coaching.

He supported Optimist athletes at international events such as the Garda Meeting and the 2024 Optimist African Championship, where he was a coach for the Canadian team.

He also worked at the Fédération de voile du Québec as a Quebec Provincial Coach from 2022-2025, where he developed competitive sailing programs and led high-performance training camps for Optimist and ILCA athletes that brought together sailors from different clubs, coaches and specialists in mental performance, nutrition and physical preparation. Under Nicolas’ leadership, the Quebec Team reached in 2025 its largest number of competitive sailors in recent years.

In 2025, he facilitated the acquisition and chartering of 20 E6 ILCA boats in Kingston, increasing access for athletes from across Canada and internationally. This initiative allowed sailors from around the world to compete at Sail Canada and CORK/Sail Kingston events.

He also played a key leadership role in the “Voile au féminin” initiative, designed to increase female participation and high-performance development in sailing, where he helped to get funding and collaborated to design a pathway that included initiation, development and high-performance camps.

In 2019, he co-founded the Montreal Youth Sailing Team (MYST), one of the first structured multiclass youth racing programs in the area, overseeing ILCA athletes and guiding their long-term growth through year-round programs, including winter training.

He is now working with the Canadian Cadet Program.

From the nomination form: “Nic is really good at noticing the small technical details that help you improve. He makes young sailors feel that they belong, ensuring that their time on and off the water is both meaningful and enjoyable. He demonstrated exceptional leadership by organizing local, interprovincial and international training opportunities, notably for female athletes to access elite coaching and structured development pathways. Nicolas is not only a coach; he is a visionary leader whose work has expanded opportunities for young sailors and elevated the standard of competitive development across the country.”

More information about the Sail Canada Coach of the Year Award is available at https://www.sailing.ca/coach-instructor-of-the-year-award-past-winners/.

By Sail Canada