A Stanley Cup winner, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the fastest men in Canada will showcase the province’s athletic abilities when Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visit Prince Edward Island, says Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
“Although we are a small province, our athletes are fierce competitors on the world stage, reaching the highest levels of achievement in sport,” said the minister. “The Royal visit will give our athletes a unique opportunity to celebrate their successes and share with the world the talent produced right here in Prince Edward Island.”
One of the most unique aspects of the Royal tour in Prince Edward Island is a dragon boat race across a lake at Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site. The Duke and Duchess will participate in the competition in separate boats, accompanied by professional dragon boat racers and Prince Edward Island athletes.
Prince Edward Island natives Jared Connaughton and Adam McQuaid will face off against each other as the featured rowers in the dragon boat race. McQuaid is a defenceman for the Boston Bruins who recently took home the Stanley Cup. Connaughton is one of Canada’s top sprinters. He is a two-time 200-metre national champion and holder of the Canadian record of 20.34, set in 2008. He also competed in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and placed second this week in the 100-metres at the Canadian Track and Field Championships.
“I’m thrilled to be home in Prince Edward Island to join other local athletes in celebrating our province’s talents during the Royal visit. Prince Edward Island athletes compete competitively around the world and always represent their province with pride,” said McQuaid. “This is a fantastic opportunity to show the world our friendly hospitality which makes my home province Prince Edward Island such a great place to live and visit.”
The winning team will be greeted at the finish line by Prince Edward Island Olympic gold medalist Heather Moyse. Moyse won Canada’s first-ever women’s bobsled gold medal at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. She is also a member of the National Senior Women’s Rugby team.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Prince Edward Island, historically known as the Birthplace of Confederation, July 3-4 as part of their Canadian tour. The visit represents an incredible opportunity to showcase the rich history and varied cultures, traditions, artistic talent and culinary products for which Prince Edward Island is known. The Royal couple will visit Prince Edward Island’s two cities, Charlottetown and Summerside, as well as Dalvay.
During their visit, the Royal couple will experience why visitors from around the world choose Prince Edward Island as their premier vacation destination. The Duke and Duchess will attend performances by talented Prince Edward Island musicians, sample Prince Edward Island seafood, and admire the Island’s oceanfront and pastoral landscapes. The full itinerary, as well as other information related to the Royal tour in Prince Edward Island, can be found at www.gov.pe.ca/royaltour.