Despite the disappointing news in September last year that sailing would not be included in the International Paralympic Committee’s 2024 Sports Program for the Paris Games and beyond, Australian Sailing will be maintaining a Para Sailing Program in 2019.

2016 Paralympic Silver Medallist and 2018 Para World Sailing Champion (Norlin 2.4 OD), Matthew Bugg (TAS) – Richard Langdon Photo

With the project funding from the Australian Institute of Sport now coming to a close, Australian Sailing is planning to provide coaching support for a limited number of athletes before and during the Para World Sailing Championships in Puerto Sherry, Spain, in June and July.  In addition, a larger number of athletes will have the opportunity of a coaching camp in the lead-up to Australian Para Sailing Championships being held in Southport, Queensland, during August.

Australia has been a dominant nation in Para Sailing over the past 5 years, with athletes on the podium at every major para sailing event since 2014. Across the three disciplines sailed at the 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition, Australia claimed one Silver and two Gold Medals.

2018 Para World Sailing Champion (Hansa 303 Mens), Christopher Symonds (TAS) – David Staley Photo

The momentum was maintained last year with another Silver and two Gold going to Australian athletes at the Para Sailing World Championships in Sheboygan, USA.  Matthew Bugg is the current Para World Champion in the Norlin 2.4 OD, Christopher Symonds is the Para World Champion in the Hansa 303 Mens.  Genevieve Wickham was runner up in the Hansa 303 Womens.

2018 also saw the debut of Sailing at Invictus Games in Sydney and the Inaugural Australian Para Sailing Championships held as part of the Sail Melbourne International Regatta.

Expressions of Interest are now being sought from para athletes who aspire to be part of the Australian Para Sailing Squad for the 2019 Para World Sailing Championships or to participate in the Australian Para Sailing Championships and Coaching Camp.

Interested athletes should download the form here, complete and return to Australian Sailing’s Para Sailing Coordinator, David Staley, via email parasailing@sailing.org.au by April 7, 2019.

2018 Para World Sailing Silver Medallist (Hansa 303 Womens), Genevieve Wickham (WA) – Beau Outteridge Photo