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Southport Yacht Club at Hollywell will host the 2009 Australian & International Championships
Photograph:Sailability Gold Coast
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Australian Regatta Dates - AUS
David Staley, Tuesday, 19 August 2008The Australian & International Access Class Championships will be held in Queensland for the first time in 2009. The Southport Yacht Club at Hollywell will host the event from 19th to 22nd March 2009. Sailing will be in the Broadwater, an area of seawater protected from the Pacific surf by South Stradbroke Island. SYC Hollywell is the home of Sailability Gold Coast.
Competitors are encouraged to make time to enjoy the Gold Coast attractions of Sea World, Dream World, Movie World, Wet & Wild etc. The club is also just 2 hours drive away from the hinterland where you can visit O’Riellys wheelchair friendly retreat where you can walk through the tree tops and feed beautiful parrots and bower birds by hand.
Accommodation is available at the Runaway Bay Sports Centre located less than 2km from Hollywell and featuring wheelchair friendly accommodation.
Event Website: www.sailabilitygc.org
Event Information - Bob Chapel: roma924@tpg.com.au
Dates for other Access Class events in 2009 have also been confirmed……………..
Victoria
Victorian Access Class Championships
Mornington Yacht Club
17-18 January
mdaddo@bigpond.net.au
Kiwi Cup - New Zealand
Access Liberty Open World Championships & IFDS World Championship
Sailability Auckland & Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
24 January – 1 February
www.sailabilityauckland.org.nz
timdempsey@xtra.co.nz
Australian Masters Games – Victoria
Access 2.3 & 303
Royal Geelong Yacht Club
20-27 February 2009
www.australianmastersgames.com
New South Wales
New South Wales Access Class Championships
Lake Wallerawang
21-22 February
ajo94109@bigpond.net.au
Western Australia
‘Be Active’ Access Class Championships
Royal Perth Yacht Club
March 15
sailability@rpyc.com.au
Nationals - Queensland
Australian & International Access Class Championships
Southport Yacht Club - Hollywell
19-22 March 2009
v.pres@sailabilitygc.org
www.sailabilitygc.org
South Australia
SA Sailability Championships
Port Adelaide Sailing Club
28-29 March 2009
johnoj4@bigpond.com
World Masters Games – New South Wales
Access 2.3 & 303
Dobroyd Aquatic Club
12-16 October 2009
www.2009worldmasters.com
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Access Liberties on Auckland Harbour
Photograph:Sailability Auckland
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Kiwi Cup to include Liberty Worlds - NZL
Tim Dempsey, Thursday, 24 July 2008The Glenn Family Foundation Kiwi Cup 2009
A unique world championship sailing regatta is being held in Auckland in January 2009.
For the first time in New Zealand, sailors with disabilities will be competing against able bodied counterparts in a world championship. The Regatta will be a combined IFDS (International Association for Disabled Sailing) Single Person Dinghy World Championship & Access Liberty Open World Championship.
About 10 Access Liberties will be fitted with ‘servo electric’ sheet and helm winches, enabling sailors with severe disabilities to compete.
Sailability Auckland is hosting the inaugural event that’s expected to draw at least 50 international sailors.
Spokesman Tim Dempsey says the long term aim is to have more yacht clubs around the world integrating sailors who have a disability into their competitions as there’s no reason for these yachties not to compete in mainstream yacht races.
Mr Dempsey says the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is the host Yacht Club and sailors will be located at the old Team New Zealand base at the viaduct in the heart of Auckland City.
The regatta will include a fleet of novice sailors (silver) and experienced sailors (gold). Racing for the Kiwi cup will be from the 26th – 31st of January followed by a world teams racing event from the 1st – 3rd of February 2009.
Entries are already coming in from Canada and Australia with entries also expected from France, the UK, the United States and the Philippines.
Mr Dempsey says the Kiwi Cup will be more than just a sailing regatta as it provides a real ‘kiwi experience’ in the City of Sails for the international competitors, both disabled and able bodied, and their supporters.
Event information will be available soon at www.sailabilityauckland.org.nz and www.accessclass.org.
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Access Liberties on Auckland Harbour |
Joshua McKenzie-Brown (NZL) - current Open World Liberty Champion |
Liberty fleet at the 2007 Combined Worlds in Canada |
Viaduct Harbour - venue for the Inaugural Kiwi Cup |
Auckland Harbour sailing areas for the Inaugural Kiwi Cup |
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Sydney 2009 World Masters Games - AUS
IACA, Tuesday, 22 July 2008Fit, Fun and Forever Young
Held from 10-18 October 2009, the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games will see competitors from more than 100 countries take part in 28 sports, including sailing.
The Games will be an event where all, regardless of ability, can celebrate their love of sport. Where all, irrespective of age, can demonstrate their passion for life. Where all can achieve their personal best.
Sailing participants from 35 years of age can experience friendly competition administered at the highest level at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games.
Access class events will be held at Dobroyd Aquatic Club, Rodd Point.
This is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to have an international sporting experience in and around one of the world’s most spectacular harbour cities.
To find out more or to register for the Games now, visit www.2009worldmasters.com.
Registrations are now open.
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Ann Lewis - 2.3 National Champion
Photograph:Burghfield SC
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Frensham Pond sailors win at Nationals - GBR
Richard Smallwood, Tuesday, 15 July 2008The 2008 Access Class National Championships were held at Burghfield Sailing Club on 11 and 12 July. The Friday forecast was for rain and squally conditions which duly arrived, but racing commenced on time at 1130 with 12 entries in both the 303 and 2.3 classes and two in the Access Liberty class, both of which were using electrical control systems. The helms of all participating boats had a qualifying disability under the rules of the Access Class Association (UK).
Race 1 for the single-handed 2.3s proved to be between Clare Andrew of Rutland and Ann Lewis of Frensham Pond with Clare winning after Ann apparently collected some Burghfield weed. The leaders in the 303 class, in which single- and double-handers compete together, were both from Frensham Pond with Paul Holzherr beating David Harris to the line.
Two more races were held after lunch, and Ann got her revenge, beating Clare in both races for the 2.3s. There was some concern when Chris Emmet of Rutland Sailability was tipped out of his part-electrical-control 2.3 by a particularly heavy squall. However, the Burghfield Safety Boat soon had him out of the water. There were new winners in the 303 class with newcomers Ian and his father Paul Clements from Chew Valley Lake winning race 2 and past champions Chris Atkin and Johnty Dickinson from Woolverstone Project (Ipswich) winning race 3. At the end of day 1 the 303s were evenly balanced with Paul, David and Chris/Johnty on similar points. The Libertys were also evenly balanced with Dave Durston of Whitefriars having two wins and Simon Harle of Rutland the other.
The forecast for the second day was more promising, and conditions were indeed much easier with the wind dying briefly during the sixth and last race. Race 4 for the 2.3s was a repeat of race 3 with Ann beating Clare, but an interesting battle was developing behind them with club-mates Janet Lee and Pat Jackson of Sussex YC scrapping for third place overall, each with two third places on the water. Paul Holzherr won race 4 for the 303s, and Dave Durston clocked up a third win in the Libertys. Race 5 followed back-to-back and there was a loud cheer when Geoff Gibbins’ 2.3 arrived first, with a good lead, at the windward mark near the clubhouse to break the apparent female monopoly. He held on to his lead to the finish, with Janet Lee second and Ann Lewis relegated to third. There was also a new winner, David Harris, in the 303s and Simon Harle succeeded in the Liberty class to give himself a chance if he could win the 6th and last race.
Over lunch the leading contenders were busy calculating their overall prospects before the final race. It seemed that Ann Lewis and Paul Holzherr had the 2.3 and 303 classes won, but there was all to play for further down the fleets. Nevertheless Ann and Paul went afloat for what proved, in many respects, the most challenging race of the championships with significant variations in wind strength and direction. Chris Emmet established a lead in his part-electric 2.3 and held on until the last mark when Ann Lewis passed him to confirm her status as the National Champion. Ian and Paul Clements had another win in the 303s but, with only three races completed out of six, were out of contention overall. Simon Harle won the last Access Liberty race to become National Champion on a tie-break.
The organisation by Burghfield afloat and ashore was first class with two hoists used to transfer wheelchair user into and out of the boats and excellent courses for the 45 minute races. An AGM was held which will be reported on the website www.accessclass.org.uk , together with the full results of the event.
The main prize-winners were:
Access 2.3 Class
1st and National Champion 2008 – Ann Lewis – Frensham Pond Sailability
2nd – Clare Andrew – Rutland Sailability
3rd – Pat Jackson – Sussex Yacht Club
Access 303 Class
1st and National Champion 2008 – Paul Holzherr – Frensham Pond Sailability
2nd – David Harris – Frensham Pond Sailability
3rd – Chris Atkin and Johnty Dickinson – Woolverstone Project
Access Liberty Class
1st and National Champion 2008 – Simon Harle – Rutland Sailability
2nd – Dave Durston – Whitefriars Sailing for Disabled
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The Access 2.3 racing was close at the UK Nationals |
Ann Lewis - 2.3 National Champion |
The fleet heads downwind at the UK Nationals |
fast reaching 303s at Burghfield |
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SKUD 18 Class Rules Updated
David Staley, Wednesday, 9 July 2008Following a meeting of sailors in Qingdao, China, and with significant input from sailors and coaches, a further revision of the SKUD 18 Class Rules has now been completed. As a new class, there have been many details that needed adjustment and a pressing need to have these finalised as early as possible ahead of the Paralympic Sailing Competition.
The SKUD Class Management Committee wishes to thank the numerous people who have contributed to the review process with constructive comments and suggestions. No further changes are anticipated until the end of 2008 at the earliest.
Amendments, additions or deletions have been made to the following sections:
Index; A.12; C.2.1.c; C.3.2.d.2, 3, 5, 6 & 7; C.5.1.a.2; C.5.2.a.1; C.7.3.d; C.9.3.a; C.9.5.a.2; C.9.6.a.1 & 2; C.9.8.b.1, 6, 6 & 9; C.10.2.b; F.1.1, 2 & 3; H.1 Parts List
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French Nationals underway in Berck
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Four Nations at French Nationals - FRA
IACA, Monday, 7 July 2008The Access Class Association, La Voile Ensemble (Sail All Together) has collaborated with the Sailing School of Berck-sur-mer, the General Counsel of the Pas-de-Calais and local disabled sport organisations to organize the sixth National Access Championship - Regatta Handivoile – at Conchil le Temple, close to Calais. This lake is reportedly where the first Access 2.3 was sailed in France.
From June 27 to 29, almost 50 sailors participated in the Access 2.3 and in 303 classes with France, Australia, Great Britain and Spain represented.
Day one of competition was abandoned with winds in excess of 25 knots. Winds abated to 15-20 knots over the two following days, enabling five races to be conducted for the 2.3s and seven for the 303s.
Barry Coates (AUS) won the 2.3 Single Person division by a single point from Clare Andrew (GBR). Janet Lee (GBR) was third. Coates and Andrew had both competed in the 2007 World Championships in Canada, with Coates finishing 2nd in the Liberty division and Andrew 2nd in the 2.3s.
The 2.3 Two Person division was an all French affair and was won by Stephane Colier and Jeremie Chauchoy.
Three nations were represented in the 303 Two Person competition. The division was won by local Berck sailors Vincent LeGoff and Veronique Bourgois-Louvois (FRA) ahead of Andy Sheath & Kate Lintott (GBR) and Eugeni & Guillem Regi-Coscullela (ESP).
In the 303 Single Person competition, David Harris (GBR) lead home fellow Brit Paul Holzherr, with Gerard Acker (FRA) third.
The event enjoyed a wonderful social atmosphere and, despite the fresh breezes, the sailors enjoyed their time on the water. Several sailors also had the opportunity to try out the new Liberty X, a development of the existing Access Liberty class.
REPORT FROM UK CLASS ASSOCIATION
The 2008 French Championships for the Access Class were held on a lake near Berck, some 50 miles south of Calais, from 27 to 29 June. The closeness to Channel ports led to significant interest from British Access sailors, and 12 boats were entered from Rutland, Frensham Pond, Sussex and Papercourt Sailing Clubs. All the British boats had a Sailability (disabled) sailor aboard but the championship was also open to non-disabled sailors.
Racing was for the single sail Access 2.3 dinghies, with separate single handed and double handed classes, and a similar arrangement for the two-sail Access 303 class. The French Access Class Association also invited participation by the larger Access Liberty class, for which the sole entrant was Simon Harle from Rutland in his electrically-assisted boat. He therefore sailed with the 303 solo group.
Although the British entrants all brought and sailed their own boats, entrants from Spain and Australia needed to borrow boats so racing was initially arranged in five groups with some 303 boats being used in three different groups both single and double crewed. This was an unusual arrangement for the British contingent, and it took some time for them to appreciate exactly how it would work.
When racing was due to commence on Friday afternoon winds were around 25 knots, the limit of what is allowed for Access Class events. As a result only 4 races were held, two for the 303 solo, one for the all-French 2.3 doubles and then one for the largest fleet, the 2.3 solos, which had 7 British competitors. Each race was just two laps of windward/leeward and took 12 to 15 minutes, rather shorter than the UK Access Class norm of 45 minutes. The wind increased for the 2.3 solo fleet, and Chris Emmet of Rutland was tipped out of his 2.3 but promptly rescued. Other boats returned to the jetty full of water, and Race Officer Pierre Luc Blanc wisely abandoned this race and cancelled racing for the rest of the day. The final drama of Friday was a protest by a British 303 solo competitor against a French sailor for barging at the leeward mark. This was upheld but, rather than creating an international incident, was concluded with a friendly handshake!
Saturday morning again heralded strong winds and the start of racing was postponed until after lunch. With a slight easing of the wind, racing commenced with the 303 double class. As there were 8 entries (one British) and only 5 boats available, they were divided into two separate groups for their first pairs of back-to-back races. At the end of the day group 1 was headed by a Spanish crew with Andy Sheath and Kate Lintott from Frensham Pond leading group 2 with two wins.
The 2.3 solos managed 3 races back-to-back with Clare Andrew of Rutland winning two of them and Barry Coates of Australia the other. Alex Hovden of Papercourt provided the drama in this class as his steering system broke when lying third approaching the finish of the first race and he drifted over the line in fifth place. It was all hands to the pumps to repair this and get Alex out for the third race which was just achieved. With no discards yet, Clare and Barry were tied on points at the end of the second day. The 303 solos also held 3 more races, and David Harris of Frensham Pond was leading the fleet by two points overnight.
The third and last day gave the best conditions with sunshine and moderately strong winds. In the 2.3 solos Clare won one race but Barry Coates of Australia won the other and, when discards were considered, just pipped Clare overall. Janet Lee of Sussex Yacht Club was third, and UK and Australian sailors filled the next 7 places.
David Harris held onto his lead in the 303 solo class with Paul Holzherr, also of Frensham Pond, winning a race to claim second place overall. In the 303 doubles the groups from day 2 were split into Gold and Silver fleets for their second pair of races. In the Gold fleet Andy Sheath and Kate Lintott were just beaten by a very good local crew and, on a tie-break, had to settle for second place overall with a Spanish crew third.
The international nature of this event was illustrated by the fact that all four countries represented were amongst the prize-winners with the 2.3 solo 1st going to Australia, 2.3 double and 303 double 1st to France, 303 solo 1st and 2nd to Great Britain and 303 double 3rd to Spain.
Over the three days 26 races were held, and the arrangements afloat and ashore were excellent, despite the difficult conditions. The Saturday Regatta Dinner was enjoyed by all, with the UK team of sailors and helpers forming a choir, accompanied by Mac Stowe’s trumpet, to sing the French and British national anthems to the surprised and appreciative locals. This was followed by wheelchair dancing to an excellent band! All the UK competitors and helpers greatly enjoyed the experience with many saying they intended to return for the 2009 French event to be held in Nantes.
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2.3 Winners at the French Nationals |
Claude Acker - top placed 303 sailor at the Nationals |
2.3s racing at the 2008 French Nationals |
303s racing at the 2008 French Nationals |
Clare Andrew sailed the disctinctively coloured 'Tigger" at the 2008 French Nationals |
303s head downwind at the 2008 French Nationals |
303s get off the start line at the 2008 French Nationals |
Barry Coates (AUS) is all concentration at the 2008 French Nationals |
Barry Coates (AUS) powered up in breeze at the 2008 French Nationals |
Clare Andrew took three wins in the 2.3s at the 2008 French Nationals |
Tight racing downwind in plenty of breeze at the 2008 French Nationals |
Berck sailors made the most of the 2008 French Nationals |
Plenty of fun at the 2008 French Nationals |
Janet Lee makes a move on Diana Faulks at the 2008 French Nationals |
The race management teams did a great job is testing conditions during the 2008 French Nationals |
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Rutland Sailing Club - host to the 2010 Access Worlds
Photograph:Courtesy Rutland SC
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2010 Combined Access Worlds Announced - GBR
IACA, Thursday, 19 June 2008The next Combined Access Class World Championships will be hosted by the Rutland Sailing Club in the English Midlands, from June 6-11, 2010.
Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made stretches of water in Europe and set in some of Britain's loveliest countryside. Conditions are similar to estuary sailing, but without the tides – there is over 3000 acres (1215 hectares) of sailing area.
The Club’s thirteen acre site on the South shore of Rutland Water boasts seven concrete slipways with four pontoons and connecting walkways, permitting easy launch and recovery of all boat types. It has extensive onshore boat storage and boats its own sailing school, chandlery, accessible accommodation and social facilities. The Club is recognised by the RYA as one of its key centres for disabled sailing and training National Teams.
Rutland Sailing Club has welcomed the opportunity to host the Combined Access Class World Championships.
“We are thrilled to have been asked to host the 2010 Combined Access World Championships”, said the Rutland Sailing Club Commodore, Nick Clarke.
“The Club house facilities are first class, with a lift and ramp access to the first floor for bar, dining and balcony areas. Our waterside equipment is second to none. And we boast 7 safety RIBs and up to 4 committee boats enabling us to run up to four different races
on different parts of the water. Our pontoons, gangways and slipways are all wheelchair friendly. We also have our own in house sailing school and chandlery on site”, said Mr Clarke.
“We look forward to meeting sailors from all over the world in 2010 and know they will enjoy their time at Rutland Sailing Club”, he said.
Chairman of the Access Class Association in the UK, John Morley, is delighted the Association has been asked to arrange the 2010 Combined Access World Championships.
“I know that all the members of our Association will do their very best to provide the visiting sailors with the best sailing at the biggest and best inland sailing club in the UK. We are all looking forward to hosting the best Access sailors in the world”, he said.
“However, I do need to tell you that you will have to sail very well to beat our lot! Please come and prove me wrong”, said Morley.
This is the second combined World Championships for the popular Access classes and there will be single and two-person divisions for the Access 2.3 and 303, along with the single person Liberty and two-person SKUD18. The structure of the 2.3 and 303 fleets will enable relative newcomers to the sport to also compete in this significant event.
There are over 1500 Access Class boats sailing around the world. The Access 2.3 is an ISAF International Class, whilst the 303 and Liberty are ISAF Recognised Classes. Access 2.3 and 303 fleets throughout the UK and Europe continue to grow, with the majority of boats used in Sailability programmes. The UK Access Class Association has run a traveller series for several years, attracting a growing number of keen racers.
The SKUD 18 is the two-person equipment for the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Sailing Competition and is regularly sailed on Rutland Water. The largest, fastest and most spectacular of the Access Classes, the SKUD will be a feature of the Championships.
“The Association is very excited about this announcement”, said International Class Association President Terry Peek.
“I have sailed at Rutland and the venue and facilities are magnificent”, he said.
“We look forward to seeing many nations being represented at the 2010 Worlds. The Association is delighted that the Rutland Sailing Club will host the event and we are sure it will be a great success”, said Mr Peek.
Additional information about the event will progressively become available at the IACA Website: www.accessclass.org
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Duncan MacGregor (AUS) - current Access 2.3 World Champion |
Access 303s racing at the UK Nationals |
The Liberty fleet gets off the line at the 2007 Worlds in Canada |
SKUD 18s gybing downwind at the 2007 IFDS Worlds in the USA |
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Applications for Additional Equipment - SKUD 18
David Staley, Friday, 8 September 2006
In order to streamline applications for approval of additional technical or adaptive equipment for individual boats, a standard form has been developed by the SKUD18 Class Management Committee and is downloadable via the link below.
When making an application, please complete the form in full and attach relevant drawings, plans or photographs. The form and attachments should be emailed to scmc@skud.org.
The approval process is a mix of three steps – two optional and one mandatory. The steps are designed to provide many opportunities for communication with the Technical Committee to prevent developing something that will later turn out to be illegal – and yet provide a final approval step for the Technical Committee to see the implementation of the design (which could be far different from the original plan).
You are welcome to send your initial narrative to the SKUD Technical Committee for review (Step 1). This narrative might discuss function, safety features and design specifications. Upon receipt of this narrative the Technical Committee will respond quickly with a brief answer suggesting that this might be something that could be allowed or suggesting that this would not be allowed inside of the current rules. Step 2 is then to send a sketch or line drawing with a more complete description of the position, function, capability, desired intent and safety features included. The Technical Committee can then reply with more detailed comments on the device or aid. If everything is progressing, the final (and only mandatory step) is Step 3. Here, photographs of the device (both in use and in static display) are sent to the Technical Committee. This can also be done in person if appropriate. The Technical Committee carefully reviews the photos and/or usage and provides a ruling on the acceptability of the adaptation.
Step 1 (optional) – Brief written description
Step 2 (optional) – Brief written description along with line drawings
Step 3 (mandatory) – Photographs and written description or presentation in person
All applications will be addressed by the Class Technical Officer as quickly as possible and decisions will be advised to the owner via email and published on the website.
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