Paralympics Race Day 1 - Preview
Written by RYA | 01 September 2012
Looking ahead to Day 1 of Sailing
The rest of ParalympicsGB have done an awesome job of getting the excitement going over the past three days – now it is Britain’s sailors chance to start their quest to bring home the silverware.
Six days, 11 races, three classes, one aim – to claim Britain’s first full Paralympic medal ever.
The first Paralympic sailing demonstration event took place at Atlanta 1996 in the Sonar three-person keelboat (plus reserve). The British crew of Andy Cassell, Kevin Curtis, Tony Downs and Ian Harrison won gold.
But a Paralympic medal has eluded Britain since sailing joined the full Paralympic programme at Sydney 2000
There are 80 sailors in total competing at the regatta – 14 x Sonar, 16 x 2.4mR, 11 x SKUD (41 boats).
All the racing for this event takes place in Portland Harbour. Two races per day are scheduled for each class from 1 to 5 September, with one race for each class on the final day (6 September). Racing is scheduled to start at 11am daily.
So what have we got to look forward today……
*all times below are scheduled start times
Class: 2.4 Metre (one-person keelboat)
Sailor: Helena Lucas
Race time: 11.10am
Race time: 12.40pm
Target time: 50-70 minutes
Fact: This is Helena’s second Games, she finished 7th in Beijing 2008
Class: SKUD (two-person keelboat)
Sailor: Alexandra Rickham / Niki Birrell
Race time: 11am
Race time: 12.30pm
Target time: 50-70 minutes
Fact: This is Alex & Niki’s second Games, they finished 5th in Beijing 2008
Class: Sonar (three-person keelboat)
Sailor: John Robertson/Hannah Stodel/Steve Thomas
Race time: 2pm
Race time: 3.30pm
Target time: 50-70 minutes
Fact: This is the Sonar team’s third Games, they finished 6th at Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004
Weather:
Overcast but no rain expected with a steady Westerly breeze all day (10-12Kts)
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