2015 Para World Sailing Championships - Preparation in full swing
by Bernie Kaaks on 27 Nov 2015
It blew a bit in Melbourne last night! Bernie Kaaks
2015 Para World Sailing Championships - The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria was abuzz with activity today as athletes and support crews finalised their classification and measurement obligations. A huge marquee dominates the area normally reserved for hard standing, flags of all nations are fluttering in the strong, cold winds and a temporary floating dock system is almost filled to capacity with coaching and support boats.
The severity of last night’s weather in Melbourne took one of the local Bluebird yachts by surprise, tipping it out of its cradle on the hard stand, but none of the visiting Para yachts was affected. Conditions were such however, that any plans to go out for a practice sail yesterday or today were doomed.
142 sailors, representing 31 nations, have gathered in Melbourne to contest the Worlds, many with significant numbers of support personnel. The regatta is the second and final qualification regatta for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition, with seven spots in the 2.4mR, five in the SKUD18 and six in the Sonar to be decided in Melbourne.
A practice race is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, followed by the Opening Ceremony at 6pm.
Racing begins in earnest on Saturday on three separate courses on Port Philip Bay. With experienced International Race Officer David LeRoy in charge on the water, backed up by YA’s volunteer of the year in 2014, John Burgess as Regatta Director and Ross Kilborn as Event Manager, who in turn are backed up by a legion of enthusiastic volunteers, the RYCV is confident that this will be a memorable World Championship.
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