The Barcelo Resort in Mussanah, Oman will host the RS Venture Connect World Championships from November 24th -27th. It is expected that teams from 15 nations will compete in this event, the first time that the RS Venture Connect class worlds have been hosted in Asia. In addition to featuring the relatively new World Sailing ‘race’ specification sails on all boats competing, the RS Venture Connect also features a so-called Seated Control System or ‘SCS’ which is specifically designed for use by people with disabilities.
John McRoberts, Canadian Paralympic sailor will be participating in the RS Venture Connect World Championships at the end of this year. McRoberts competed at his fourth Paralympic Games and won the silver medal with his wife. He also won a bronze medal in the two-person event during the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 and placed fourth at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
McRoberts says, “I’ve had the privilege to represent Canada in 4 Paralympics and receiving three medals, it’s a true honour for to wear the Maple Leaf. I’ve attended the last 2 RS Venture Connect Worlds and am really enjoying the boat and racing format. I have to say it’s great having the boats supplied. RS does a great job supplying and preparing the boats so that the sailors just have to go racing, a dream come true. Being a class 1, the RS Venture Connect is really the only boat I can compete in. That being said I would also choose it because I love the spinnaker. Come on sailing World let’s go racing!! See you there!”
Not sure if you’re eligible? Here’s an outline, but you can find out more in the link below.
- Country-specific participation by teams in this event is unlimited.
- Teams should consist of 1 male and 1 female athlete, with special dispensation for same gender teams required (in writing from the event hosts prior to being eligible for registration.
- This championship will feature 2 event awards categories: ‘Para’ and ‘Open’.
- For teams wishing to compete in the ‘Para’ Championship category, minimal disability (MD) criteria must apply to both athletes entered, with athletes needing to:
- Hold a current and valid International Classification as per the World Sailing Para Classification rules before being able to compete
or
- At the time of completing the registration for the event, applied to Para World Sailing for a provisional classification, with a formal classification interview needing to be conducted before the first day of competition at the event.
- World Sailing Classifiers will be available at the event venue days before the event start date.
- For the ‘Open’ Championship category of the event, minimal disability (MD) criteria only needs to apply to one of the athletes who entered
- All competitors must be affiliated to and in good standing with a World Sailing Recognized Member National Authority (MNA). These authorities are listed on the World Sailing website
There is a lot of momentum behind this fantastic event and we look forward to the top sailors from around the world meeting together in beautiful Oman for a fantastic week of racing!
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