YELLOWKNIFE - The Ability Cup is one sailing race no one is upset to lose.

As the Great Slave Cruising Club's first race of the year, the 17th annual Ability Cup raised $11,000 in for the Council of Persons with Disabilities.

Paul Latour and his crew sailed the Talisker in the Great Slave Cruising Club's Ability Cup race. The three raised $4,500 for the Council of Persons with Disabilities. - photo courtesy of Ivy Stone

The boat Talisker raised $4,500 alone, making them this year's winners of the Cup, presented to the boat that raises the most money.

"It's a fun race, and it's for a good cause," said Paul Latour, who skipped the Talisker with the help of his crew on behalf of Environment Canada.

This year's Cup race raised $1,000 more than last year. The record stands at $17,000.

"It doesn't feel bad to lose the Ability Cup because it means they've made even more (money)," said Therese Boullard, a member of the club who participated in the race. Boullard raised $400 for the cause.

"It was a race that was created with the purpose of raising money for the council," she said.

Latour said the race is also a way to draw new people out to the club.

"If the weather's good, it draws a lot of public to the boat yard," he said.

Doug Morrison and his wife Sue Bowie were awarded a fast plaque for the boat that actually wins the race.

"We enter most years to raise money for Council of Disabilities," said Morrison.

Morrison participates in most of the Great Slave Cruising Club's races, and said the Ability Cup is a good way to start out the season.

"We're a non profit club and it's important for us to do our part in the community," he said. "It's important to contribute what we can."

He and Bowie have raced in the Ability Cup for several years.

"If we do it, hopefully it will encourage others too," he said.