IFDS Bulletin

Issue 59 - Published Friday 1 August 2008

Message from the President - Serge JORGENSEN

As we begin final preparations for the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition, I would like to extend my congratulations and thanks to all of the countries and athletes that have worked so hard to earn their spot in the 2008 Games. We will have more athletes on the water than ever before, more countries participating, more women competing and better sailing overall. A fantastic amount of effort and a fair amount of risk has gone into making all of this possible and the result will be the best Games yet for Sailing.

The classes deserve congratulations as well. The Sonar is a long-standing, stable and competitive platform accessible to athletes with a wide variety of disabilities. Cooperation and support from the class is amazing; the more that is asked of the boat and class, the more that is delivered.

The SKUD18 is moving through some growing pains, but is an exciting ride that is taking sailors places unimaginable four years ago. With downwind speeds approaching 16 knots and spray flying everywhere, skipper and crew alike are having great fun.

The 2.4mR remains plagued by measurement problems, but like the Sonar is widely sailed by able-bodied and disabled sailors alike and provides some unique opportunities. The class is working hard towards a one-design concept that should address their largest issues.

In great part because of all of the hard work and successes in our sport, we have attracted an ever growing number of organizations and companies that are interested in supporting our goals and efforts. Most recently, the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) has graciously named IFDS as the beneficiary for the proceeds from their 2008 DAME Awards event in Amsterdam this November. The show is the world's largest marine equipment show and includes a SuperYacht Pavilion as well as 1500 other exhibitors. IFDS will use the donation to compile a set of specifications and guidelines for the development of equipment adaptations. A full announcement on this exciting project will be made in the coming weeks.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Qingdao in a few weeks. Whether this is your first Paralympics or fourth, the experience will be something that you will never forget. The Chinese have done an amazing job in preparing to host a fantastic Games. Competition will be keen as the sport is growing ever stronger and the fleets more highly skilled. Best of luck to all of the competitors and a very appreciative thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and support staff that make this all possible.

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games

Read the latest update from Paralympic Sailing Competition Technical Delegate Phil Vardy

Seth IFDS Multihull Worlds

Cascais, Portugal hosted a very successful 2008 Seth IFDS Multihull World Championship

IFDS AGM

Get all the latest details on the 2008 IFDS Annual General Meeting in Madrid

Top News

Update from the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition Technical Delegate, Phil VARDY

SKUD18 Flag Spinnakers

In the Two-Person Keelboat event at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition, SKUD18s will fly flag spinnakers acquired through IFDS and SSCQD, the Sailing Sub-Committee, Qingdao of BOCOG.

The spinnakers will be of identical weight and handling characteristics, manufactured to strict class association specifications for MacDiarmid Sails Australia. As for the 49er class in the Olympic Sailing Competition regatta, each SKUD18 spinnaker will be a national flag, vertically hung, with a white field at the head bearing the Paralympic symbol.

The cost of the spinnakers is heavily subsidized by SSCQD. Athletes are required to pay only US$1,000 for each sail and its repair kit.

Manufacture of the spinnakers is under way at the Neil Pryde loft in Schenzen, China (near Hong Kong). The most complex spinnakers are those of Great Britain and Australia (The Australian flag incorporates the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom). The Pryde loft, therefore, decided to make the GBR and AUS spinnakers first. The second most complex spinnaker is that of the USA. As for the Olympic classes, the tripartite rays of the sun in the Philippines flag will be simplified, and the armillary sphere and shield of the Portuguese flag will not be reproduced.

It is hoped that the Two-Person Keelboat class will produce some of the best images of the 2008 Paralympic Games. Such images will publicise sailing as a sport for people with disabilities, and will encourage IPC to illustrate its literature with images of sailing.

Good Facilities for Spectators in Qingdao

The venue for the 2008 Paralympic Regatta features a purpose-built spectator area. The area is a high tiered breakwater protecting the Olympic marina from the Yellow Sea. Spectators will be able to get a good view of the Two-Person Keelboats, SKUD18s and the One-Person Keelboats, 2.4mRs racing on Course A, and a reduced view of the Three-Person Keelboats, Sonars racing on Course B.

BOCOG has arranged for spectator boats Princess (40m; 80 passengers) and Hua Ou (30m; 72 passengers) to be available at the Paralympic regatta. Two types of ticket are available for the boats and are currently on sale to the general public through National Paralympic Committees.

2.4mR Measurement

There is a known problem with many of the measurement certificates issued for 2.4mR's over the last few years. To resolve any possible questions and to verify that boats submitted are actually 2.4mR's, it is expected that displacement testing will be performed during Measurement prior to the start of the Paralympic Sailing Competition. Sailors should be aware that measurement may take slightly longer and the class rules will be strictly enforced. Questions prior to measurement can be addressed to Gene Hinkel at hinkelif@aol.com

Notice of Race Ammendment

Please note that an amendment to the Notice of Race for the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition was made on the 28 July 2008. The amendment sheet can be found on http://sailing.org/23446.php

Paralympic TV

Footage from the 2008 Paralympic Games is available for viewing on Paralympic TV. This can be found on the International Paralympic Committtee Website.

Visit the IPC website

New Zealand To Host 2009 IFDS Blind Sailing Worlds

New Zealand will host the 2009 IFDS World Blind Sailing Championships from 12-21 March 2009.

Being sailed on Lake Rotorua in the central North Island, this World Championship will bring together blind and vision impaired sailors and their sighted support crews from around the world to compete in this prestigious International Event.