Australia’s first RS Venture Connect arrives in Tasmania

Chris lives with a motor neuron condition called Kennedy’s Disease (KD). KD causes muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) throughout the body. The condition is progressive without cure or treatment. 

Chris has sailed continuously for 55 years starting in the NZ designed P Class, Cherubs, 470s, windsurfer and small keel boats. During 2016 Chris started sailing the Hansa 303. He has competed nationally and internationally since 2016, having won three World Championships, five silver and one bronze medal in Para and Open categories. 

Chris says, “the Hansa 303 has been a fantastic class to be involved with, simple, cost effective and the most popular of the Para classes. KD progression will make it hard for me to stay at the top of the single person Hansa 303 class.” 

Living with KD, Chris needs to plan well ahead with many aspects of life, home, work, community involvement and sailing. The RS Venture Connect (RSVC) will be the future for Chris. Like all the Para Classes the RSVC will have its challenges. For Chris finding a Para-Classified crew with upper body strength and the desire to compete at the highest level.  The RSVC will allow Chris to sail with a crew, sharing his journey’s highs and challenges. 

Chris will continue to sail the Hansa Class having entered for the Hansa Asia Pacific Championships soon after his return from the UK and the Hansa Worlds in Sydney in March 2025. 

The RSVC has been the two-person Para equipment used by World Sailing since 2018. 

Chris competed at the 2022 RSVC Inclusion World Championships in Oman where he and Manuela Klinger finished in fourth place.  

For the 2024 RSVC Inclusion Worlds Chris will have a new crew, Samantha Bailey. Sam has previously sailed International Cadets, 29er and SB 20’s 

Another Australian team who are the current RSVC Inclusive World Champions, Genevieve Wickam and Grant Alderson will also be attending the 2024 RSVC Inclusion Worlds in the UK.

Chris and Manuela travelled extensively during 2022 to promote World Sailing’s Back the Bid to LA 2028 campaign. Chris continues to focus on ensuring that sailing is reincluded for Brisbane 2028 Para Olympics. Involvement with Australian Sailing Tasmania’s Regional Advisory Committee, and the RSVC International Class Association will support this goal. 

Chris strongly believes that for Para Sailing to be successful in its bid to be reincluded into the Para Olympics 2032, athletes, coaches and classes must remain united, for the benefit of an individual or Class. “We must all work together to be successful in this goal”. 

WYC acknowledges recent financial support of the RSVC provided by the Leo Lion Foundation (formerly Coins Foundation) and the local disability support organisation North West Support Services for coordinating the purchase.