Fantasy Sailing League at Rio 2016 Paralympics

SKUD 18 fleet at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition © Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Whilst some were preparing to sail at the Paralympics in Rio, Megan Pascoe and Will Street started talking about whether you could create the ideal sailing team. This developed into creating a Fantasy Sailing Competition. The rules were developed, changed, reviewed, then finalised... and finally simplified otherwise we would be inputting data all day.

It was decided that a fantasy player would have 100 points to spend. The top Paralympic teams cost a player 25 points and the lowest ranked teams cost 5 points. A player needed two 2.4s, two Sonars and two SKUD18s and couldn't exceed their 100 points.

The low points scoring system was in place with one discard for each boat just like the real Paralympians. Points were also given for their overall standings at the end of the regatta. Ties were broken in the normal way of number of 1sts then number of 2nds etc.

The game was launched and by the start of the first race 49 teams had entered.

Boombox managed by Rebecca Street took the early lead after the Polish SKUD being DSQ changed things. Six Nations (Andrew Street) spent all week inside the top 4. From Norway Kick Ass Sailing Team (Trond Sverre Foerde) was never far away. Day 2 didn't see much changing only #number3 (Will Street) was pushing to get inside the top 3. Day 3 saw the discard come in which mixed a lot up as did the Skud fleet UFD's. It was the first time we saw Dragon's in Rio (Donal Small) inside the top 10.

Boombox was struggling with some average results. This paved the way for Flatulence (Ric Cassell) to make his move as the Canadians were making their move out on the water. Boxing Skippy (Neil Patterson) was also climbing as the Aussies dominated. The top 3 stayed the same for the latter half of the week with Flatulence, Six Nations, and Kick Ass Sailing Team staying tight.

It was interesting to see all the combinations of the teams and hopefully everyone had fun following.

Gold went to 'Six Nations' - Andrew Street – who chose the GBR & NOR 2.4m, the CAN & GER Sonars, and the AUS & POL SKUD18s.

Silver was won by 'Flatulence' - Ric Cassell – with the GBR & NOR 2.4s, the CAN & USA Sonars, and the CAN & POL SKUD18s.

Bronze was taken by 'Kick Ass Sailing Team' - Trond Sverre Foerde – who selected GBR & NOR 2.4ms, the NOR & GER Sonars, and the AUS & USA SKUD18s.

Top 10 results: (of 49 entries)

1st - Six Nations - Andrew Street
2nd - Flatulence - Ric Cassell
3rd - Kick Ass Sailing Team - Trond Sverre Foerde
4th - #number3 – Will Street
5th – Boxing Skippy – Neil Patterson
6th – Rope4boats.co.uk – Ian Turnbull
7th – Pretty Boys Sailing Club – Jon White
8th – Boombox – Rebecca Street
9th – KGB Sports Department – Nikita Kamaev
10th – Wet Dream Team – Chay Clarkson