US Sailing has announced a call to competitors for the inaugural 25U Para Sailing World Championship in the Netherlands, July 18-22. This event provides a unique opportunity for young, aspiring sailors with a disability to represent the United States on the world stage and nurture their Paralympic dreams. It also establishes a starting point for the Paralympic pathway.
Sailors must meet minimum disability criteria as defined by the Para Sailing Classification Rules: https://members.sailing.org/sailors/disabled/competition.php. US National Classifier Barbara Caplan and her team can help determine athlete eligibility, so do not let that be a deterrent to applying.
The event will run from July 18-22 and will be preceded by a 2-day Para Development Program (PDP) clinic that will include coaching. It will be sailed in RS Venture Connect class boats, provided by the organizing authority. This is a two-person event, but individual sailors may apply and be matched with a partner by US Sailing. Participation is limited to one team per country.
Deadline for application to the US Sailing supported team will be midnight PDT on May 22, 2022.
Sailors must be 25 or under as of December 31, 2022 and each team of two should, if possible, consist of one male and one female sailor. You may submit an individual or team application/resume. If you are a sailor who would like to apply and do not have a partner, US Sailing will consider all resumes submitted and may select/connect sailors to constitute a team. US Sailing will select and enter the team to compete. There will be some financial support provided by US Sailing.
Notice of Race will be posted April 15. Apply today: https://www.jotform.com/221165049882055
To see more about the Venture Connect under sail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JHHgrmYw0
More information about the event can be found here: https://www.sailing.org/2022/04/26/world-first-u25-para-sailing-world-championship-set-to-debut-in-dutch-waters-this-summer/#articleJump