Park’s pride at “end of an era” for Rio Paralympic Sailing

by RYA on 19 Sep 2016 British Sailing Team Manager, Stephen Park has spoken of his pride at “the end of an era” for Paralympic sailing in this country after the curtain officially came down on the Rio 2016 Games yesterday (Sunday 19 September).

Two bronze medals for Helena Lucas in the 2.4mR one person keelboat and Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell in the SKUD18 two-person keelboat in the final races of the regatta on Saturday meant Britain’s sailors finished on the podium twice for the second Paralympics running and achieved their pre-Rio medal target.

With sailing not currently included in the Paralympic programme for Tokyo 2020, Britain’s six-strong team, including John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas in the Sonar, will now decide what comes next for each of them as World Sailing bids to get the sport restored to the slate for the 2024 Paralympics.

But with all six sailors having competed together at the last three Paralympics, with Rio 2016 actually being the Sonar trio’s fourth successive Games having debuted at Athens 2004, Park believes their contributions to helping to raise the profile of disability sailing and elite racing in the UK over the past decade has been immense.

He said: “This is the end of an era for British Paralympic sailing and possibly for Paralympic sailing as a whole. World Sailing is working very hard to ensure sailing is back in play for 2024. However the sailors in this Paralympic team have been on a journey for a number of years and Games together.

“We've won four medals at the past two Games and a number of world titles over the past 10 years too and they really have done Paralympic sailing in Britain proud. They really should be very proud of their achievements.

“Some may hang on looking for the return of the sport in 2024, others will move on to a new chapters in their lives. But they have all had some great experiences through their time with the British Sailing Team.”

Following her gold medal success at London 2012, Lucas’ Rio bronze consolidated her position as Britain’s most successful Paralympic sailor since sailing became a full Paralympic sport at Sydney 2000, while Rickham and Birrell also achieved a podium finish for the second Games in a row.

Much of the focus ahead of both the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics had been on the water quality in Guanabara Bay, security and, particularly for the Paralympics, financial concerns and empty stadiums.

But Park insists that across both Games the venue has witnessed some of the most memorable, close racing of his four-Games tenure as British Sailing Team manager to date.

He added: “The Paralympics has been a fantastic event. We managed to complete the 11 race series for all three classes and it's been incredibly competitive right down to the final races, with medals changing places throughout each of those. It's been quite an experience and an emotional ride for all of our sailors.

“Rio will be remembered for the people and vibe of the city, the place just feels alive. The backdrop, or the amphitheatre, of Rio for the sailing events has been impressive, and there has been such a high level of competition across all the nations, the most competitive Olympic and Paralympic events I've ever been to.

“There were so many nations in the mix and that is fantastic for the sport moving forwards. It has becoming increasingly competitive for all of our sailors but they have been there fighting it out in every single one of the events.”