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TELLTALES - NOVEMBER 2005
Volume 7 Issue 1
CONTENTS
1. Sailability Timor Leste
2. New boat for 2008 Paralympics
3. YES Asia Conference
4. "Sailabration"
5. Sailability World
6. 2005 IFDS Single Person Dinghy World Championship
7. Quinte Sailability, Canada
8. Travellers Trophy, UK
9. FESPIC Games, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
10. Portugese Regattas
11. ISAF Classes
12. 2006 Australian/International Access Dinghy Championships
13. Upcoming Events
1.
SAILABILITY TIMOR LESTE
- the world's newest nation
Australian volunteers, Therese Kersten & John Hughan, have been working in Timor Leste for two years. The Access Dinghy Foundation is honoured to assist Therese and John in their endeavour to re-introduce sailing to the people of East Timor.
John
& I first came to TL in 2003 after following the plight of the people
in their struggle for independence. We were so impressed by the people
and their country that we returned to Melbourne cut loose our mooring
lines and sailed our 14mt ketch to Dili harbour. The country has clear
waters, calm seas and tropical weather. The people themselves are welcoming
and hold high hopes for their future.
Whilst
some people have been aware of the ongoing plight of the East Timorese
it is not a country that is known throughout the world. Timor Leste -
population approx. 800,000 is a small island nation 400nm north west of
Darwin. It is the newest nation on earth becoming independent in 2002
following 24 years of Indonesian occupation. Prior to that it had been
a Portuguese colony for 400 years. The East Timorese people have fought
long and hard to gain their independence, this tiny nation is full of
hope and challenges.
We are both volunteers here and supported by Australian Volunteers International working at the Catholic Teacher's College in Baucau. My work is in training primary teachers in the area of 'children with disabilities'. I found that there were no recreational activities for this group of people. John provides support to the local staff at the college in the areas of construction and mechanics.
We were staggered at the lack of sail used anywhere in TL, due to lack of knowledge, materials and opportunities. Combining our love of sailing and knowledge of disabilities it seemed only natural that we should try and introduce the use of sail to all the people of TL. We were lucky enough to attend the YES ASIA conference supported by our organization and the organizing committee. TL looks forward to being a part of the Sailability community and we can feel change in the wind for the people of TL.
2. BOAT SELECTED FOR TWO PERSON EVENT AT 2008 PARALYMPICS
UPDATE - The UD18 has a new name
SKUD18 (SKiff Universal Design)
On November 8, 2005 Serge Jorgenson, President of the International Foundation of Disabled Sailing's (IFDS) announced: "The IFDS is pleased to announce that the Equipment Evaluation Committee recommendation presented, accepted by the IFDS Executive Committee and endorsed by the IFDS Recognized National Authorities (RNA's). The equipment used in the Two-Person Keelboat Event will be the UD-18, an Australian Mitchell/Bethwaite design."
IPC directed that crews for the new competition will comprise at least one female. To increase elite level sailing opportunities for severely and very severely disabled sailors, one sailor shall be FCS1. The other sailor may be of any IFDS Classification.
3.
YES ASIA CONFERENCE
November 4-7, SINGAPORE
The International Foundation of Disabled Sailing (IFDS),
Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), in collaboration with Sailability
World presented the IFDS Young Enabled Sailor-Asia (YES-Asia) Conference
2005. The goal of the Conference was to introduce sailing for people with
disabilities to the Asian region and this aim was realised with the participation
of delegates from 10 Asian nations.
The conference began with an opening dinner on the 4th of November 2005
that was officiated by the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Singapore's
Minister for Defence. The conference proper took place on the 5th and
6th of November at the Changi Village Hotel and the Changi Sailing Club.
The delegates were briefed on a wide range of relevant topics including
How to start national/local sailing programmes, Inclusion, Blind Sailing,
working with young disabled sailors, etc. There were presentations from
people with a wide range of expertise in this field, and a menu of workshops
from which delegates selected a programme to best suit their needs.
Practical sessions were held at the sailing club so that the delegates
could assess the boats and other equipment first-hand. There was also
an exhibition which gave the delegates an insight into the many facets
of Sailing for the disabled.
The conference ended with a BBQ dinner where the delegates informally
mingled with one another and forged relationships that can only benefit
the sport in the years to come. In all, the conference was attended by
58 delegates from 23 countries.
Some participants at YES Conference, Singapore
4.
SAILABRATION "One great big party"
Celebrating 10 years of Sailability NSW (1995-2005)
Graeme Adam
December 3 Sailability NSW marked the first decade of "freedom on the water regardless of ability". Sailability NSW had its beginnings in 1995 and in just 10 years has grown into a vibrant and proactive organisation with twenty-four branches - eight in the Sydney Metropolitan Area and the remaining throughout regional NSW.
To
celebrate International Day of People with a Disability, and its own 10th
Anniversary, Sailability NSW organised "Sailabration". During
the day, fun sails were held on Sydney Harbour with Sailability Rushcutters
Bay and RANSA yachts. As the twilight celebrations began, 218 Sailability
NSW guests filled the marquee to start the Sailabration in earnest.
While guests tucked into a hearty meal, Sailability Australia Chair, Bruce Dickson and Woollahra Councillor Marcus Ehrlich presented Maryanne Ireland and Wendy Evans of Belmont Club with finalist's trophies in the Yachting Australia Award for Sailors with Disabilities category.
Jackie Kay spoke about the development of Sailability World. President Neil then surprised and delighted Jackie by awarding her life membership of Sailability NSW. Neil returned later to make his tribute to Sailability sailors, volunteers and supporters, present and past.
Then it was Neil's turn to be surprised when Rushcutters president Stephen Churm presented a special gift on behalf of Sailability for Neil's enormous contribution to the growth of Sailability over the last 10 years. Special praise was reserved for Access Dinghies' Chris Mitchell for his selfless contribution to the goal of sailing for everyone, regardless of ability.
Then, it was the turn of the clubs to be honoured as Sailability NSW
Patron and round the world sailor David Adams and NSW Vice-president Grahme
Rayner toured the marquee to present Sailability NSW Service Awards to
each of the clubs.
5. SAILABILITY WORLD
On October 1 Sailability World
(SW) held its inaugural AGM in San Felice Circeo in Italy. This coincided
with the gathering of sailors from around the world for the IFDS Single
Person Dinghy World Championships.
Sailability World's Board is:
President-Clive
Clifford (GBR)
Vice President-Frankie Thapanal (SIN)
Treasurer-Zoltan Pegan (HUN)
Secretary-Jackie Kay (AUS)
Panayotis Tsinganos (GRE)
Nobi Nishii (JAP)
David Staley (AUS)
Eleven countries were represented at the AGM, comprising existing members
and future members. Member countries who were unable to attend, provided
postal votes, ensuring a democratic election of the Board.
In the President's announcement to Sailability members, Clive said, "Although
a newly born organisation, our strength lies in the member countries and
their expertise which in turn can benefit other national Sailability groups,
particularly where Sailability is still in its infancy. Our mission is
not with the elite world of sailing, but with the everyday person, be
they disabled and/or disadvantaged
First the stalk -- then the roots. First the need -- then the means to
satisfy that need. First the nucleus -- then the elements needed for its
growth."
The formalisation of SW will ensure the consolidation and expansion of
Sailability, an organisation that has captured the hearts and imagination
of the World.
Return to top
6. 2005 IFDS Single Person Dinghy World Championship
and Sabaudia's Cup
1-10 October 2005 - San Felice Circeo, Italy
Daily
torrential downpours, water spouts, 1.5 metre swell with cross direction
waves- trees, dead dogs and rubbish washed out of storm water pipes-all
made for extremely testing conditions for the competitors, race officers,
safety boats and volunteers alike. The determination of the sailors who
went out in these wild conditions earned the respect and admiration of
all who witnessed their courage and skill.
Bento Amaral (POR) sailing full servo assist won the final race and demonstrated that a VSDS sailing solo in the Liberty is competitive against more abler sailors, sailing manually. Sailing skill is the determining factor, not degree of disability. The way it should be.
IFDS
SINGLE PERSON WORLDS
1st Bento Amaral Portugal
2nd Colin Johanson Australia
3rd Fernando Pereira Portugal
SABAUDIA'S
CUP
1st Zoltan Pegan Australia
2nd Bento Amaral Portugal
3rd Karim Din Abdul Singapore
L-R: Zoltan Pegan (AUS) and Bento Amaral (POR)
SNAPSHOTS FROM COMPETITORS
New friends from Portugal and Malaysia
Panayotis Tsinganos (GRE)
The Worlds in Italy? No less than magnificent! A lot of fun. Lousy weather,
happy faces. Chris Riordan (AUS) in the sky playing the drum at the restaurant.
Mom speeching :)
Colin Johanson (VIC, AUS)
Rain, storms, 2 metre chop, waterspouts, lightning, flood currents, drifting
buoys - how much more difficult could it have been? But we all sailed,
to the amazement of officials. SDS proved more in adversity than if all
had been "plain sailing" and showed that we sail competitively,
not just as "fair weather sailors".
Maria Dalmon (NSW, AUS)
Sailing single-handed in the 2005 Worlds was a wonderful, but hair raising-experience
and has changed my sailing life forever. After sailing on the Mediterranean
in conditions I have never faced before, I feel I can sail anywhere. I
will never forget the friendship of the other sailors, volunteers and
all involved.
Lindsay Dalmon (NSW, AUS)
There were many highlights of the Championships. Not least was that I
found I could sail in such adverse conditions - conditions that were completely
foreign to me. But one thing that stands out is the great atmosphere of
friendship and camaraderie at our hotel. Having everyone staying together
really made for a happy and successful regatta.
Chris Riordan (Sth Aust, AUS)
Good Sailing, Good Company, Good Location, Good Food, Good Beer hey what
more could a man ask for.?
Diego Cukaric (CRO)
It was a fantastic experience. One day with wind of 20 knots and waves
over 1,5m. I went out first, and was very surprised that SDS sailors came
after me. In that moment I saw the courage of those sailors. I couldn't
believe that sailors who aren't able to push their own wheelchairs can
manage sailboats so well. I was scared. But not for my own safety, but
for their safety. The SDS sailors, I can say now, are poker players.
Zoltan Pegan (AUS)
There are not many regattas where you can win a boat for first place.
I went to the Sabaudia Cup hoping to win the Liberty to bolster our little
Sailability Hungary fleet and it was not an easy task. Every race was
a fight to the finish, with Max, Bento, Karim, Simon and Chris right there.
Congratulations to Bento, World Champion, sailing full servo! Thanks to
the organizers and my fellow sailors for making this a really memorable
regatta. See you at Sabaudia Cup 2006.
Herb Meyer (USA)
The Access "Liberty" demonstrated again that sailors with severe
disabilities can compete on a "level playing field". Benito
(full servo controls) beating Zoltan (manual) in the final race of the
regatta proved that the "Liberty has liberated sailors with severe
disabilities". Many thanks to Luigi and Gabriela for their hospitality
and endless work.
Bento Amaral (POR)
It was great sailing in the 2005 Worlds and to prove that despite the
hard weather conditions it was possible to sail safely the Liberty. It
was also very nice to meet and change daily experiences with people from
all over the world with different cultures while competing in a World
Championship.
Excerpts from Jury Chairman's Report
Phillip Gage (GBR)
"….During this race (Race 2) a whirlwind blew half a mile to
leeward of the course and into the harbour. Two large fully formed waterspouts
also came close by. The race was shortened at the half way point and the
competitors went back to the harbour.
Despite these appalling conditions, the Liberty dinghies performed exceptionally
well. They were able to keep going in very light wind and were not overwhelmed
by the strong gusts that we experienced at times. Very little salt water
entered the boats............
For the fourth racing day the weather had deteriorated as far as rainfall
was concerned, and the strong outfow from a nearby river set up a muddy
current over the race course, with large amounts of flotsam, tree branches,
root and trunks. There was even a dead dog floating past the committee
boat......"
Teamwork: L-R
Phillip & Trish Gage; Pauline & Ian Harrison; Luigi & Gabriella
Zambon
L-R
1. Entertainment at closing dinner - Throat singers from Sardinia
2. Opening & Closing Ceremonies - Traditional Italian flag throwers
3. Our "Ligi" Zambon
7.
LIBERTY MAKES SAILING POSSIBLE
Quinte SailAbility, Ontario CANADA
The first time Sandy Watson tried sailing, she knew it was right for her. Not typically someone who participated in a lot of sports, she didn't think she could ever be a sailor. She had to be encouraged to come out and try it and she hasn't looked back since.
Sandy learned to sail in 2002 on an Access Dinghy at Quinte SailAbility based at CFB Trenton Yacht Club in Eastern Ontario. However, her disability, the result of cerebral palsy, prevented her from single-handed sailing. "I had difficulty with my balance in the boat and my lack of upper body strength meant that I always had to have a partner with me in the Access Dinghy," says Sandy.
Thanks to donations from Catch the Rainbow and the Rotary Club of Brighton, Sandy had a new boat to sail this summer. It's a Liberty with servo assist system allowing her to single-handed sail right from her first time out. "When I heard about the Liberty and how it would be just as easy for me to sail as it is for me to operate my electric wheelchair, I was very excited," she recalls. "That I could do all the sail work myself and be able to go out on the waters alone as fast and as far as I wanted-well, I claimed that Liberty as my boat before it even arrived!" And, indeed, Sandy was the first student to sail the boat and was out on the waters three times a week all through the summer.
Sandy's sailing skills have increased exponentially since the arrival of the Liberty. She was able to qualify for her White Sail I certificate in her first two years of sailing the Access Dinghy. Since starting to sail the Liberty, she has quickly obtained both White Sail II and III. She also participated in her first sailing regatta, something she is interested in doing again.
"Sailing in the Liberty gives me a great sense of freedom," claims Sandy. "I absolutely love it." The combination of the Liberty and the servo assist make it the only such boat in Canada at this time. The sailing season is now drawing to a close in Canada and Sandy is sad to see the Liberty coming out of the water for the winter. "I'm already looking forward to next year," she says.
Printed with the kind permission of OSA & Quinte Sailability
8. ACCESS DINGHY TRAVELLERS' TROPHY - UK
This year, in conjunction with the Travellers' Trophy an "Access Dinghy Southern Championship" and an "Access Dinghy Northern Championship" will be organised. Each will have a 303 class (this class will include 303's ballasted to 90KG), a 2.3 class, a Liberty class and a Buddy Assist class. Both are one day events and are open to all Access sailors.
The UK Access Dinghy Association has planned another exciting series
of races for 2006 for Access Dinghy sailors who like to travel to other
clubs. There are a total of nine regattas in the Traveller Trophy (TT)
competition with five events counting. Three in-week events have been
included this year to tie in with some sailing groups that prefer weekday
sailing. There are six "one day" weekend events (for those who
work or prefer not to stay away from home) and one "three day"
National Championships that includes the first day as a practice/training
day and two days of racing, (The National Championships will not count
as a "Traveller Trophy" event).
9.
FESPIC GAMES - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nov 26-30 , 2006
The biggest sporting event for athletes with disabilities, outside
the Paralympic Games
The KL'06 FESPIC Games Profile
- 62 participating nations (expected) from East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and the South Pacific
- 4,000 athletes, leaders and team officials (max)
- 19 sport disciplines
- More tan 4,000 medals to be won
- 4 categories of disability
- 1,500 sports coaches, officials, FESPIC & Paralympic Family
- About 350 buses, 250 cars to be used
- About 8,000 volunteers involved
- About 3 million TV viewers
- About 200 foreign journalists
- 10 days of competition
SAILING COMPETITION
Sailing has been included for the first time at these Games. Entry is open to all sailors with a disability from Asia and Oceania. The classes sailed will the International 2.3 and Liberty. Each country may send up to 4 sailors. In each class of boat, a team will consist of 1 x female and 1 x male disabled sailor.
2 x International 2.3 dinghies - 1 x female and 1 x male sailor is a team-sailing solo.
2 x Liberty boats - 1 x female and 1 x male sailor is a team-sailing solo.
This format is to encourage more females into sailing. Sailors need to satisfy minimum disability criteria of the IFDS Functional Classification System. Entry forms have already been distributed by FESPIC organisors. Please note the deadline for entries is Feb 28, 2006.
For more information of your national FESPIC - Paralympic Committee or
email info@accessdinghy.org
10.
Portugese Regattas
ACCESS LIBERTY
Contact: Jorge Cunha; e-mail: j.cunha@forestis.pt
Póvoa de Varzim, Clube Naval Povoense:
January 28, 29; Mars 25, 26; April 29, 30 and May 1
ACCESS 303 and 2.3
Contact: Charles Lindley; e-mail: cdl@netcabo.pt
Cascais, Clube Naval de Cascais
June 3 and 4
ACCESS LIBERTY 303 AND 2.3:
Contact: Jorge Cunha; e-mail: j.cunha@forestis.pt
Póvoa de Varzim, Clube Naval Povoense
July 1 and 2
ACCESS LIBERTY
António Cunha; e-mail: cnf.qc@netmadeira.com
Funchal (Madeira Island), Clube Naval do Funchal
July 21 and 23
11.
ISAF CLASSES - Access Dinghies
International Access Class Association (IACA) was established and registered with ISAF in July 2005. At ISAF's Annual General Meeting in Singapore, November 3-13, the following Access classes were ratified by ISAF.
- International - Access 2.3
- Recognised - Access 303
This paves the way for annual ISAF World Championships to be held in
Access 2.3 and 303 classes.
12.
AUSTRALIAN & INTERNATIONAL ACCESS DINGHY CHAMPIONSHIPS
January 26-29 2006
Docklands Yacht Club, Melbourne Australia
The 2006 Access Dinghy Australian and International Championships will be a feature of the Volvo Ocean Race Melbourne Stopover. So far expressions of interest have been received from six Australian States, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Canada, USA and Great Britain.
Being held over the Australia Day weekend next January, the Championships will be sailed on the protected waters of Victoria Harbour, Melbourne Docklands, and hosted by the Docklands Yacht Club and Sailability Docklands. Melbourne Docklands will be the focus of Australian and International attention between January 18 and February 12, while the fleet of Volvo 70's take a break from their round-the-world racing and the rigors of their Southern Ocean passage from Capetown. It is expected that eight of these ocean racing thoroughbreds will be either in the water or on the hard stand at Docklands during the Australia Day weekend and open to public viewing.
The Access Nationals will be the key event on Victoria Harbour during
the Australia Day weekend, with an Australia Day sail-past and three days
of racing planned. The Volvo Ocean Race arrival celebrations are scheduled
for the weekend before and the In-Port Race is scheduled for the weekend
after, so the Access Nationals can take the spotlight in between.
The venue is very protected and was host to the Victorian Championships
in 2004. It is also been touted as "the best teams racing venue in
Australia" because of the outstanding spectator opportunities. So
this will be a unique Access Classes event - fun competition for people
of all ages and abilities, sailing on a cosmopolitan waterway with a background
of the Melbourne city skyline, and all the excitement and entertainment
of the Volvo Ocean Race activities thrown in! Numerous divisions will
be run for International 2.3, Access 303 and Liberty classes. A UD18 will
be available for those interested in the boat selected for the Two Person
event at the 2008 Paralympics.
Yachting Victoria has
released the Notice of Race for the event with links to tourism and accommodation
information. Also visit Access
Dinghy
13. UPCOMING REGATTAS
2006
January 13-15
2005 USA Access Dinghy C'ships
Postponed from Nov 05 because of hurricanes. Naples, Florida, USA
Tradewinds Foundation and
Collier County Parks & Recreation
January 26-29
International & Australian Access Dinghy Championships
Docklands Yacht Club,
Victoria Harbour, Melbourne AUST.
Yachting Victoria
March 25 & 26
NSW Access Championships
Sailability Port Stephens,
NSW
Grahamstown Dam
April 8-9
Qld Access Championships
Southport Yacht Club
Hollywell, Qld AUS
April 15-16
South Aust. Access Championships
Adelaide Sailing Club, West
Beach
May 12-14
International Invitational Special Olympics Regatta
Sailability Greater Tampa Bay
Clearwater, Florida USA
August 12
Canadian Access Championships
Quinte Sailability
Trenton, Ontario
September 1-3
UK Access Championships
Frensham Pond Sailability.
Surrey
October
Sabaudia's Cup
Sailability Italy
San Felice Circeo, Italy
November 26-30
FESPIC Games
Far East & Sth Pacific Disabled Games
Kuala Lumper, MALAYSIA
Contact your NPC or Access Dinghy
2007
September 7-15
IFDS Disabled World Championship
Rochester Yacht
Club
Rochester, New York USA
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