Club Hopes to Sail on Paralympic Wave of Success 

Northampton Sailability hosts Sail for Gold Regatta

Northampton Sailability hope the success of the most successful Paralympics ever can boost disability sailing in Northampton after hosting its own Sail for Gold Regatta at Pitsford Reservoir.

Rob Jackson, Commodore of Northampton Sailing Club, presented the trophies as disabled and able-bodied sailors competed side-by-side for four races, with five disabled helms placing in the first six places.

Sailing is renowned for being a sport that, once on the water, people with disabilities can compete on a level playing field with able-bodied competitors as boats can be adapted to suit each person’s individual needs.

Amongst the competitors at Pitsford included people injured in snowboarding and car accidents, a Multiple Sclerosis sufferer and a sailor who has been blind since birth.

Northampton Sailability is an established RYA Sailability site providing opportunities for disabled people to learn to sail and sail regularly as part of the national Sailability programme run by the sport’s national governing body, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

Around 200 people regularly sail with Northampton Sailability, with the club also working in partnerships with many local groups including Greenfield School, Corby Academy, HR Care, Henley Centre, The Fairway Centre, Solden Hill, Delos, Wren Spinney School, SENSE and Oakfield.

The regatta took place under the banner of ‘Sail for Gold’, the RYA’s nationwide London 2012 initiative celebrating Britain's unmatched Olympic sailing heritage and inspiring more people to get out on the water more regularly.

Rob Jackson, Commodore of Northampton SC, said: “It was an honour to be invited to present the trophies and medals for the Northampton Sailability Summer Series and their Sail for Gold Regatta. It was a thrill to see able-bodied and disabled sailors racing together. If anyone needs to be told, this event really does demonstrate just how there is some aspect of our sport that is right for anyone and everyone." 

Roy Child, Chairman of Northampton Sailability, said: "Many thanks to the organisers for making the event such a success  I think the RYA Sail For Gold programme has initiated a new event for us, people are already talking about running it again next year."

Britain’s Paralympic sailors made history this year winning the country’s first medals – a gold and a bronze – since sailing became a full Paralympic sport at Sydney 2000.

Northampton Sailability is one of two official RYA Sailability sites in Northamptonshire, the other is based at Hollowell Sailing Club.

For more information about RYA Sailability and to get involved in Sailability in Northamptonshire visit www.rya.org.uk/sailability