Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M50

Paralympic - Class search continues - capsizing + righting the Weta

by Sail-World.com on 2 Nov 2016
The Weta on display at the 2016 Auckland On the Water Boat Show. The Paralympians are test sailing a standard boat. Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz
With World Sailing yet to announce its strategy for getting Sailing back into the Paralympics, and looking at the options for new boats, or staying with the existing classes which rely on fixed or sliding keels to provide stability.

Multihulls are one option for a re-vamped Paralympics, as a replacement boat or new event. There is also the option for a boat like the Weta to be chosen which will allow Parasailors to complete in regular racing against those who don't qualify for Paralympic sailing.

In October we published a video of 2016 Paralympic rep Chris Sharp (Cat 4 on a scale of 7) putting the Weta trimaran through its paces on the Waitemata - while sailing single handed and with main, jib and gennaker.

Most would have wondered what would have happened had the Weta flipped on the wheel-chair sailor.

In this latest video, two Paralympians take the Weta through a capsize routine, each sailing singlehanded, and then set oot to deliberately capsize the Weta while sailing.

While the video is interesting from the perspective of the performance of the Weta, it is also a great insight into the physical capabilities of Paralympic sailors and what can be achieved just using their (obviously fairly good) upper body strength.



In the second video, an on-board camera records a T12 Incomplete Paraplegic sailing on Port Philip Bay Melbourne in
15-18kts with a 1.5m swell



In a third video again caught with an on-board camera, from the same sailor as in the second, sailing the Weta 'after some gale force winds this weekend I finally went sailing on Sunday. Wasn't windy enough to capsize. I still had lots of fun'

Barton Marine Pipe GlandsSwitch One DesignAllen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
The front-runners are pushing hard toward the finish After nearly 24 hours at sea, the front-runners of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race are pushing hard toward the finish. Temptation/Oakcliff leads the fleet in both elapsed and corrected time, with Boudicca – Gill Race Team close behind.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul
Protect Your Skin, Stay Out Longer
Rooster know that long days on the water are what summer is all about At Rooster, we know that long days on the water are what summer is all about. But with the sun high and strong, protecting your skin is just as important as protecting your kit.
Posted on 7 Jul