The Canadian Armed Forces announced this week they are cancelling the 2021 SkyHakws season as a result of COVID-19, leaving questions if the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will follow suit with their season.
On Dec. 7, the CAF noted assembling a team is a complex and difficult endeavour, and that team members are selected early in the year. There is extensive training prior to the start of the season to ensure a high level of professionalism and proficiency and the decision to cancel 2021 performances was made early to provide prospective event organizers planning certainty and stability.
“The decision to cancel the SkyHawks season was a difficult one,” said Maj.-Gen. Michel-Henri St-Louis, commander with the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre. “However, the ongoing risks posed by COVID-19 make this the correct decision at this time. We look forward to seeing the SkyHawks Canadian flag parachutes back in the sky once conditions allow.”
If safe to do so, the SkyHawks will look to resume parachute performances in 2022. It will be a landmark year as they celebrate 50 years of performances.
In April 2020, the Snowbirds, who annually hold their spring training at 19 Wing Comox, announced they would not be training in the area due to the pandemic.
The Record has reached out to a representative for the team to inquire if a decision about training or the upcoming 2021 season has been made but has not heard back by deadline.
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