Para World Sailing Statement - May 2019

Following the disappointing decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) not to include Sailing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, World Sailing has reviewed its strategy for Para Sailing, in order that it can continue to grow and develop the sport and ultimately to bid for inclusion in the 2028 Paralympic Games.

World Sailing is committed to growing Para sailing in collaboration with its Member National Authorities (MNAs), major events and within the committee structure of the world governing to achieve its goals.

World Sailing will continue to support and invest in the Para Sailing Development Program (PDPs) and in the inclusion of Para sailors and coaches in the well-established Emerging Nations Support Program (ENP). Over the past five years, both the PDPs and ENPs have enabled the number of nations participating in international Para sailing competitions to increase by 30%.

Sailing has an almost unique capacity to include people from all ages and abilities.  While further effort needs to be encouraged by MNAs at a local and national level to make Para Sailing a more inclusive and welcoming sport for both competition and recreation, World Sailing aims to continue to foster ongoing development and provide an exciting international program of inclusive competitions.  One area of focus will be to work on increasing inclusion of Para sailing at Regional Games and competitions – pinnacle events for the emerging and developing MNAs.  World Sailing is engaging with the organisers of Regional Para Games to seek further opportunities for sailing to be included in these important multi-sport events to showcase the sport. 

A review of the schedule for World and Regional Para Sailing Championships will be put in place in 2019 to ensure the most efficient structure and calendar of events is established for the future; following this review the next Para World Sailing Championship will be held in 2022 during the The Hague Sailing World Championships.  More countries will be encouraged to conduct National Para Sailing Championships and coordinate with other MNAs in developing areas by consolidating resources.

World Sailing will also continue to offer limited, yet ongoing support, for both the Blind Match Racing and Fleet Racing disciplines.

A partnership with the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (INAS), the peak international sporting organisation for athletes with intellectual impairment, was recently announced. Click here for more. Through this partnership, World Sailing will establish a sailing competition structure and support network for this Sailors group.

In response to the news that sailing would not be reinstated in the 2024 Paralympic Games, it was announced at World Sailing’s 2018 Annual Conference that the 2022 Combined Sailing World Championships would include all the Para Sailing Classes. This will provide a new pinnacle event every four years for Para sailors around the world to aspire to.

Furthermore, in all the stages of the Hempel World Cup Series, Para classes will be included as an Open competition, enabling the world’s best Para sailors to take on their able-bodied peers. Over the past twenty years, Para sailors have featured on the podium of the Open 2.4 World Championships 14 times, with six para sailors from five different nations claiming the Open World Championship title.

During 2019, World Sailing’s Board of Directors and the Para World Sailing Committee will be updating the Para Sailing Strategic Plan, drawing together the strategies and initiatives to take the sport forward over the next five years. These efforts have begun with a completion date targeted for the Annual General Meeting in November 2019.

By continuing to develop a more inclusive organisation and events program, World Sailing believes it can provide a better structure and environment for sailors of all abilities, while still leaving the door open for Para-only events.