In Paralympic Sailing, athletes compete in one of three non-gender specific events: single-person keelboat (2.4mR), two-person keelboat, and, three-person keelboat (Sonar).
Races consist of nine separate runs. Final placings are determined by the accumulation of points scored in each race. The winning team is the one that scores the lowest total points. In Paralympic sailing, sailors race under the fleet racing format, meaning all yachts race the course at the same time.
To start the race, all boats pass a virtual starting line made between two marks: the upwind mark and the downwind mark. These marks are placed approximately one nautical mile (1852m) apart. Boats first proceed on an upwind leg to round the upwind mark. In this leg boats are fighting their way into the wind requiring skilled tactics, boat-speed, and boat handling. After rounding the upwind mark, boats proceed to the down-wind mark and round it as well. All competing boats repeat these runs 9 times, which generally requires an hour to complete. The finish of the race, like the start, consists of passing through a virtual line between two marks
The equipment used for Paralympic sailing features slight modifications in order to suit the athletes’ abilities. Yachts used in Paralympic competition have keels which provide greater stability. These keelboats are equipped with open cockpits which allow more room for the sailors.
According to the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS), a SKUD-18 team must include one female and one person deemed a Functional Classification System (FCS) "1," or severely disabled, like a quadriplegic. Sailors are seated on the centerline for Paralympic events, but the boat can be sailed with or without either of the seats and configured to suit different sailors’ needs.
Because of its design and control, the 2.4mR was selected for single-person races. The boat's ease of use allows for a level playing field, making tactical knowledge the dominant factor in competition.
The Sonar uses a versatile crew-friendly design that is accommodating to athletes with physical disabilities. It is used by sailors of all experience and ability levels, from novices to international competitors.
The sport is governed by the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) www.ifds.org. IFDS closely co-operates with the International Sailing Federation (World Governing Body for Sailing). The National Sport Federation is the Canadian Yachting Association
Classification
Paralympic sailing is open to amputee, cerebral palsy, visually impaired, wheelchair, and les autres athletes.
The single-person and three-person keelboat competitions are open to most disability groups, while the two-person keelboat event is specifically designed for more severely disabled athletes.
Sailing's classification system is based on four factors—stability, hand function, mobility, and vision. Athletes are evaluated and assigned points based on level of ability. This system allows athletes from different disability groups to compete together in this Paralympic sport. It also enables sailors with a more severe physical disability to participate.
Athletes with physical disabilities are evaluated by the Classification Committee. Each athlete is awarded points from one to seven, based on their functional abilities from lowest to highest level of functionality, respectively.
Athletes with a visual impairment are placed into one of three competition classes, based on their visual acuity and field of vision.
To ensure the participation of athletes with all point counts and from all classes of disability, there is a maximum point count, which a crew of three persons must not exceed: the aggregate of its members' points must not be more than 14.
History
The Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games introduced Sailing as a demonstration sport, leading to its acceptance as a full medal sport at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. The sport continues to grow in popularity both inside and outside the Paralympics. Three boats were raced at the 2008 Paralympic Games: a single-person keelboat, a two-person keelboat and a three-person keelboat. The high performance SKUD-18 made its Paralympic debut in 2008 in the coastal city of Qingdao, China.
(Source: CPC and IPC)
