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The organizing association is the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club (KNZ&RV) acting under the authority of the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS). The Worlds form a qualifying event for the Paralympic Games of 2012. Some 200 participants are expected.

The Dutch organising committee has been officially installed by the International Association for Disabled Sailing by handing over the IFDS flag at the end of the IFDS Worlds 2009 in Athens in October to Jacques Kellermann Slotemaker, Chairman of the IFDS Worlds 2010.

"We are proud to receive this flag" states Kellermann Slotemaker. "It stands for remarkable sportsmanship and team work. Our committee and approximately 80 volunteers look forward to provide the sailors in the 2.4mR, the Sonar and the SKUD a great World Championship event in Medemblik next year. The fact that the 2010 Worlds is a qualifying event for the Paralympics makes it even more special. We hope to welcome many sailors!"

Slotemaker and his Race Officer, Michiel Poulie, visited the IFDS Worlds 2009 event in Athens to prepare themselves for the Worlds next year. As the Worlds in 2010 form a qualifying event for the Paralympics some 200 competitors are expected, twice as many as in Athens. All aspects of the event were discussed with the Organizing Committee in Athens: race management, measurement of the competing boats, special housing arrangements, transportation for competitors, social programs, rules for coaches on the water and many other aspects to be taken into account.

2.4mR, Sonar and SKUD18

Races will be sailed in the 2.4mR, for single sailors, the Sonar (crew of three) and in the SKUD18 (two crew). All boats are adapted to their own crews. This makes measuring the boats, to ensure fair competition, a secure and hard task for which special measurers need to be attracted. The races will take place just outside of Medemblik, north of Amsterdam, on fresh, non-tidal, water. Many large sailing events have been organized here previously. The Medemblik Regatta Center is well prepared for welcoming many competitors and accommodating their boats and coaches.

"The fact that Thierry Schmitter, our Dutch 2.4 mR competitor, won the Worlds in Athens was of course a great joy and pride to us!" Slotemaker said. "We hope that his victory will also be an additional reason for companies and organizations to sponsor the Worlds in 2010! Organizing a world Championship without corporate sponsorship and the willingness of many volunteers has become nearly impossible".

For more information visit www.ifdsworlds2010.com