The Boat 

The SKUD 18 Paralympic Class - Three-person keelboat - Open

Designed in 1980 by American Bruce Kirby, the Sonar has become a top choice for Paralympic racing.

The keelboat’s crew-friendly configuration allows disabled sailors to sail efficiently and safely and enjoy a high level of performance and excitement. The racer has a well contoured sit-in cockpit and when the wind gets up and sailors are sitting on the side deck, there is no tendency to fall forward into the boat unless she takes a real knock-down, which is a rare event in a Sonar.

There's no turning backwards and dangling your legs over the side; sailors face into the boat and whether up on the deck or sitting down on the seats, the sailor’s backside is always higher than their feet. In competition, the Sonar is sailed by three people with a fourth crew member available in case one sailor is unable to take part in the race.

The Sonar has been sailed in the Paralympics since sailing was included as a Paralympic sport in 2000.

SKUD - Stats

Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Top 3

Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Top 3

Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Top 3