Jamie Dunross sets sights on Rio Paralympics

by Yachting WA on 19 Jan 2012 Jamie Dunross is a SKUD18 sailor who early in 2011 paired with Rachael Cox to contest the 2012 Paralympics.

Dunross has postponed plans to compete at the London Paralympics and will instead concentrate on Rio in 2016.

After competing at Sail Melbourne in November 2011, the duo reluctantly made the difficult decision that campaigning any further for selection for the 2012 Paralympic sailing team was unviable.

Thanking supporters, past Gold Medalist Dunross issued the following 'A combination of a funding shortfall and lack of experience sailing the asymmetrical kite downwind was the team's Achilles heel. The team was supported and coached by Luke Parkinson which was a big help in gaining the result of third place, but unfortunately [we are] still off the pace of the best in the world.

'It has become clear that the sizeable investment in both time and money involved in competing at the IFDS Worlds in America in January 2012 is not going to lead to selection to represent the country, which was always the team's goal.'

The past ten months have certainly not been wasted, and with credible regattas in Weymouth and Melbourne under their belt, the team's knowledge and skill level of SKUD sailing has developed to a point where, with good solid water time, AUSKUD has the potential to be the best in the world.

With the SKUD’s at Royal Perth Yacht Club, Dunross' long term plan is not only to start the campaign for the Paralympics in Rio in 2016, but also introduce the SKUD’s to the veteran sailors at Royal Perth Yacht Club who may be struggling to sail competitively due to mobility issues. The SKUD is an exciting, dynamic yacht that anyone would love to get on and compete. As Dunross has found out, asymmetrical sailing is a whole new world that will be mastered!

Anyone interested in SKUD sailing is invited to contact Jamie Dunross on auskud(at)gmail.com.

Yachting WA - www.wa.yachting.org.au