Full court press for Paralympic Games

Ever since the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2015 revealed that Sailing was to be removed from the Paralympic Games after Rio 2016, it has been a long climb for World Sailing to reorganize para sailing with goals of greater diversity, inclusion, affordability, development, and number of events.

After missing out on reinstatement for the Paris 2024 Games, World Sailing has identified 2022 as a crucial year to get sailing reinstated for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games. A virtual meeting hosted by the International Paralympic Committee on February 2 will outline the process international sporting federations must follow to apply for their sport to be represented at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

The Para Sailing 2022 schedule around the world has already begun as Sail Melbourne kicked off on January 13 and on the penultimate day, Australian Hansa 303 national champion Chris Symonds claimed victory finishing top of the Hansa 303 podium. In North America, the 2.4mr Can Am Series has begun its five-event schedule held in Charlotte Harbour, Florida. Taking the top three places in the first regatta on January 24-25 was Dee Smith, Jeff Linton, and Rudy Trejo.

A total of five major Para Sailing World Championships events will take place in the second half of 2022 in Germany, Japan, Australia, USA, and the Sultanate of Oman. The Inclusion World Championship for Sailing has recently been moved from May to August 24 in Rostock, Germany. There are multiple national, regional, and European competitions scheduled, starting with the New Zealand Hansa Class Championships on March 11.

To view the full calendar of events, click here.
To watch a video that reviews the 2021 season, click here.