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If this is your first time to these pages, we would suggest
that you refer to the Site Map, or at least to
the table on the left and get your bearings before going further.
The Competitive Sailing section of
this site is designed for the athlete currently competing, to make it easy
to retrieve information in a few important areas: Information (general information and pictures on competitive disabled and able-bodied racing) Classification (to determine eligibility to sail) Rankings (to find relative position against other US athletes) Technology (looking at some of the newest modifications to sailing equipment - all with the goal of increasing accessibility) Skippers/Crew Needed (for those people still looking for someone to sail with), and Events (providing highlights of Past and Future sailing activities). |
| The competitive side of disabled sailing is an
exciting, thrilling opportunity for those who wish to sail and compete
against other people - some with disabilities, many without.
While racing will never be the highlight of some peoples' lives, others
find this to be their highest aspiration. Indeed, for some of us,
there is a distinct inability to not race. If there is
another boat within sight, then we must be racing, right?
If this is what interests you, then you will enjoy looking at these shots of the two primary boats that are raced internationally by disabled sailors (2.4 mR above, Sonar to the right). Allow us to point out that neither of these boats are "disabled sailboats" specially built for access by those with restricted mobility.... These boats are sailed competitively by able-bodied sailors, and lend themselves naturally, with a couple of small adaptations, to be sailed by people with disabilities. Indeed, when most people sail these boats, it is very difficult to tell which boats are "disabled" and which are "able-bodied". |
Competitive Sailing is a very important part of our programs at Sailing Alternatives. While we are careful never to lose sight of sailing for therapy, and while we offer many great "Learn-to-Sail" courses, we recognize that competition on an equal playing field - able-bodied against disabled - can provide an exciting community activity for everyone. If you might be interested in any of this, send us some mail, and join the fun! |
