Kiel to host 2017 Para World
Sailing Championships
Kiel, Germany
has been selected by World Sailing to host the 2017 Para World Sailing
Championships from 20-25 June during the world-renowned Kiel Week 2017.
German sailor Heiko Kroger racing at the 2016 Kieler Woche in the 2.4 Norlin
OD
Kiel's announcement as the host venue falls less than one month after World
Sailing released the Para World Sailing Strategic Plan for 2017-2020. The
Plan outlines four main priorities as well tactics to achieve the goals,
ensuring World Sailing presents a strong bid to the International Paralympic
Committee for re-introduction into the 2024 Paralympic Games and future
editions.
Click
here for the Para World Sailing Strategic Plan.
The 2017 Para World Sailing Championships will be an integral part of World
Sailing's continued efforts for reinstatement and the governing body has
committed £90,000 to support sailor participation at the event. In addition,
World Sailing's logistics and shipping partner, GAC Pindar, will support the
transportation of Para World Sailing equipment to the 2017 Worlds and the 2017
Sailing World Cup Hyeres.
The disciplines proposed by the Para World Sailing Committee for inclusion in
the 2017 Championships are:
- One
Person Keelboat (Norlin 2.4 OD) – Open
- One
Person Keelboat (Hansa 303) – Female
- One
Person Keelboat (Hansa 303) – Male
- Two
Person Multihull (Weta) – Mixed
- Two
Person Keelboat (SKUD 18) – Open (International Championship)
- Three
Person Keelboat (Sonar) – Open (International Championship)
- Other
formats may also be tested in the Weta and Hansa 303.
Kim Andersen, President of World Sailing said, "The 2017 Para World
Sailing Championships is a pivotal event for World Sailing to demonstrate to
the International Paralympic Committee the strides we have taken to develop
and enhance Para World Sailing.
"Positive steps have been taken since the sport was removed from the
2020 Paralympic Sports Programme and we continue to work closely with the
athletes, our members, classes and the media to push for reinstatement in
2024 and continuity beyond.
"Kiel have a long running history of delivering exceptional sailing
events and through our combined efforts and with the support of our partners
we aim to deliver record attendance at a Para World Sailing event.”
On the selection of Kiel, Massimo Dighe, Para World Sailing Manager, added,
"All four bids received for the 2017 Para World Sailing Championships
were excellent and this highlighted the significance and importance of the
event.
"The decision of the Para World Sailing Committee to select Kiel as host
venue for 2017 is a great occasion for the sport, being a part of a big event
like Kieler-Woche, that every year grabs the interest of sailors and
attention of the media around the world is really important.
"World Sailing will start to work with the organisers immediately to
ensure that the event is a success and showcases the progression of Para
World Sailing.”
Dirk Ramhorst, Event Chairman of Kieler Woche said, "We are proud and
happy to host the Para World Sailing Championships 2017 in Kiel within the
Kieler Woche. We will make sure that this event will contribute to the return
of sailing in the Paralympic Games in 2024.
"Inclusion of disabled sailing has always been an integral part of the
Kieler-Woche portfolio. The city of Kiel and the state of Schleswig-Holstein
have invested significantly in the recent years to make the venue and harbour
of Kiel Schilksee fully wheelchair friendly. I am personally looking forward
to welcoming all Para World Sailors in Kiel next year.”
By Daniel Smith - World
Sailing