The 2019 Australian Para Sailing Championships will be held as part of an Inclusive Classes Regatta at Queensland’s Southport Yacht Club from August 2-4.

Open fleet racing in the 2.4mR, Hansa 303 and SKUD 18 classes will be conducted over three days, with the scores of teams which include eligible para sailors extracted to decide the Para Sailing Championship winners.  The Liberty class will be sailed as an open division.

The SKUD fleet launches  – Queenslanders Ross Manning & Max Quan lead off the line in Melbourne

“Southport Yacht Club look forward to welcoming the Australia’s best sailors this  three day regatta on the Gold Coast”, said Commodore Ray McMahon.

“SYC are continuing to place huge resources into program development to boost the sport. Hosting an event of this calibre is a great opportunity for us to continue promoting competitive sailing in QLD”, he said.

The regatta will be held just after sailors return from the Para Sailing World Championships in Puerto Sherry, Spain. The Australian squad will be aiming to achieve at a similar level to the previous Para Worlds in Sheboygan USA where sailors brought home two Gold and one Silver.

Neil Patterson became Australian Para Sailing Champion in the 2.4 at his home club RBYC

It is hoped that current Australian Para Sailing Champions Neil Patterson VIC (2.4), Chris Symonds TAS (Hansa 303 1-person), Bradley & Colin Alderton NSW (Hansa 303 2-person) and Ross Manning & Max Quan QLD (SKUD 18) will be in Southport in August to defend their 2018 titles.

A coaching clinic for para athletes who register their interest in the program will be run by Grant Alderson and Mike Darby on July 31 and August 1. 

“Despite the disappointment of sailing no longer being a Paralympic sport, there remains a variety of competitive pathways for sailors with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities with World Championships held in a number of disciplines”, said Australian Sailing’s Para Sailing Coordinator, David Staley.

“Australian Sailing is pleased to be sanctioning annual Para Sailing Championships as part of this competition pathway and is delighted that Southport Yacht Club has offered to host the 2019 event”, he said.

Matt Speakman and Emma Baillie QLD were 3rd in SKUD 18 last year

The Southport Yacht Club event webpage is now live and important information, such as race documents and online entry links, will progressively be added as the event draws closer. 

ENDS

Photos by Beau Outteridge / Sail Melbourne

For additional information please contact

Southport Yacht Club

Simon Turpin sailing.ops@southportyachtclub.com.au / 0400 558 917

Australian Sailing

David Staley parasailing@sailing.org.au / 0428 514 058