Kiel to host 2017 Para World Sailing Championships

by Daniel Smith - World Sailing on 5 Dec 2016 Kiel, Germany has been selected by World Sailing to host the 2017 Para World Sailing Championships from 20-25 June during the world-renowned Kiel Week 2017.

Kiel's announcement as the host venue falls less than one month after World Sailing released the Para World Sailing Strategic Plan for 2017-2020. The Plan outlines four main priorities as well tactics to achieve the goals, ensuring World Sailing presents a strong bid to the International Paralympic Committee for re-introduction into the 2024 Paralympic Games and future editions.

The 2017 Para World Sailing Championships will be an integral part of World Sailing's continued efforts for reinstatement and the governing body has committed £90,000 to support sailor participation at the event. In addition, World Sailing's logistics and shipping partner, GAC Pindar, will support the transportation of Para World Sailing equipment to the 2017 Worlds and the 2017 Sailing World Cup Hyeres.

The disciplines proposed by the Para World Sailing Committee for inclusion in the 2017 Championships are:

One Person Keelboat (Norlin 2.4 OD) – Open
One Person Keelboat (Hansa 303) – Female
One Person Keelboat (Hansa 303) – Male
Two Person Multihull (Weta) – Mixed
Two Person Keelboat (SKUD 18) – Open (International Championship)
Three Person Keelboat (Sonar) – Open (International Championship)
Other formats may also be tested in the Weta and Hansa 303.

Kim Andersen, President of World Sailing said, 'The 2017 Para World Sailing Championships is a pivotal event for World Sailing to demonstrate to the International Paralympic Committee the strides we have taken to develop and enhance Para World Sailing.

'Positive steps have been taken since the sport was removed from the 2020 Paralympic Sports Programme and we continue to work closely with the athletes, our members, classes and the media to push for reinstatement in 2024 and continuity beyond.

'Kiel have a long running history of delivering exceptional sailing events and through our combined efforts and with the support of our partners we aim to deliver record attendance at a Para World Sailing event.”

On the selection of Kiel, Massimo Dighe, Para World Sailing Manager, added, 'All four bids received for the 2017 Para World Sailing Championships were excellent and this highlighted the significance and importance of the event.

'The decision of the Para World Sailing Committee to select Kiel as host venue for 2017 is a great occasion for the sport, being a part of a big event like Kieler-Woche, that every year grabs the interest of sailors and attention of the media around the world is really important.

'World Sailing will start to work with the organisers immediately to ensure that the event is a success and showcases the progression of Para World Sailing.”

Dirk Ramhorst, Event Chairman of Kieler Woche said, 'We are proud and happy to host the Para World Sailing Championships 2017 in Kiel within the Kieler Woche. We will make sure that this event will contribute to the return of sailing in the Paralympic Games in 2024.

'Inclusion of disabled sailing has always been an integral part of the Kieler-Woche portfolio. The city of Kiel and the state of Schleswig-Holstein have invested significantly in the recent years to make the venue and harbour of Kiel Schilksee fully wheelchair friendly. I am personally looking forward to welcoming all Para World Sailors in Kiel next year.”