Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sailors with Disabilities Compete in Connecticut


The Riverside Yacht Club in Riverside, Greenwich hosts the 2009 U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship September 10th through 13th. The event is part of US Sailing’s National Championship series, and a qualifying event for the Paralympic Games. The U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship regatta is the only national championship for sailors with disabilities and attracts the nation’s top sailors from around the United States and Canada.


Four classes compete this year-- the 2.4 meter, Skud 18, Ideal 18, and Sonars. The event attracts several national sponsors, including Rolex Watch U.S.A., Dry Creek Vineyard and PredictWind.com. More information on the event is available at: championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USDisabledChampionship. For information about US Sailing, visit http://www.ussailing.org

11 comments:

ANGELA said...

Wow! That is amazing! I would have loved to see a competition like this. It is interesting how much happening everyday.

heather_200527 said...

Becoming socially involved within the community is an important aspect for all human-beings regardless of sex, race or disability just to name a few. Although I had no idea there was such an event where sailors with disabilities had the opportunity to compete nationally for this sport, I believe it is exciting and so encouraging to have these sort of sport oriented competitions for people with disabilites. Although I do not like the title or name of the competition itself and believe it should be changed so that it does not start off with Disabled, the sport and organization of the competition seems to be doing a lot for these competitors. I am glad someone thought of creating a competions to meet the goals and dreams of those committed individuals with disabilites who love sailing. Everyone deserves a chance to do what they love and dream of doing.
Heather B.

Anonymous said...

That’s amazing! It’s good to hear that their disability is not stopping them for doing what they love. I had no idea there was such a sport, although I have heard of the tennis event. People that are using a wheelchair get to play tennis and compete. It’s a big event played in the Special Olympics and it’s getting a lot of recognition. After seeing the event on TV I have to admit they are really good. When you see them play they look so excited and are very competitive like any other player. It’s great to see them on TV and just think how many other people with disabilities are looking up to them. Those are the types of people we should look up too. I think it’s great because it gives them the motivation to keep going and it gives them something to look forward too.

Tanya :o)

Anonymous said...

I really like the idea that people with disability are engaged in this kind of events. I didn’t see the sailing championship. However, I have seen the Paralympic competitions and they are amazing. When I see people with disability participating in any kind of sport I don’t only enjoy the adrenaline produced by the contest, but also value and admire the competitors. I guess that they teach us that if we work hard we can do whatever we want. In addition, I liked the way the article is written because it is not sensationalist.
Irma Corbi

Anonymous said...

I have to admit I had never heard of such a competition and it sounds very exciting. Although I like that these competitors are being given a chance to compete I do not agree on the name because it is still emphasizing on the “disabled” aspect of their life. Why couldn’t it just be a regular “sailor” competition, is it really necessary to add that to the name? I don’t think so, they are normal human beings that just want to live a healthy and normal lifestyle like the rest of us. It is awesome that the individuals who are liable for this competition had a heart to make it such a dream for many of the competitors. Not only is this giving them a chance to have a normal lifestyle but to get recognized in a good way. This will give them the motivation they need to keep on living and pushing further for a normal lifestyle.

Elizabeth G. (REHS 6345)

Anonymous said...

I have to admit I had never heard of such a competition and it sounds very exciting. Although I like that these competitors are being given a chance to compete I do not agree on the name because it is still emphasizing on the “disabled” aspect of their life. Why couldn’t it just be a regular “sailor” competition, is it really necessary to add that to the name? I don’t think so, they are normal human beings that just want to live a healthy and normal lifestyle like the rest of us. It is awesome that the individuals who are liable for this competition had a heart to make it such a dream for many of the competitors. Not only is this giving them a chance to have a normal lifestyle but to get recognized in a good way. This will give them the motivation they need to keep on living and pushing further for a normal lifestyle.

Elizabeth G (6345)

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe i read past this!! This is wonderful news to hear. Im glad they were able to compete. The Paralympic games give an opportunity for people to use the skills they possess.

g@bby s

Anonymous said...

Wow how amazing that people have the opportunity to participate in events like these; it is so awesome because they are role models for other people with disabilities. It is great to hear that PWD are able to be competitive and are able to play a sport that they love.

Anonymous said...

It's great that PWD do not let anything hold them back. I hope that they set out an example to everyone that a disability does not mean that their life is over.I hope that these events continue to happen.
--Melchora Gracia--

Anonymous said...

As I read the history of this event on their web page I realized that the inclusion of people with disabilities started in 1986 and has been renamed 3 times. Like many other activities in which PWDs are included, this championship began taking force after one of the sailors was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I think it is important to include PWDs in sports events, but at the same time I feel a little sad that things happen almost invariably in this manner (with PWDs advocating to be included or setting up the ground for it).
Way to go to all competitors, not only in sailing, but in all other paraolyimpic events!

http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/USDisabledChampionship/Event_History.htm

Leila Flores

Javier De La Garza said...

Sailing in a competition with disabilities, it is interesting to see if things that are happening today all around the world. This event which is a qualifying event for the Paralympics is something that I did not even know existed for people with disabilities to do. Actually I did not know sailing was a competition and I thought that mostly as a recreational pastime or something fishermen do. This article open my eyes to a new sport as well as good news for people’s with disabilities accomplishing great things in today’s society.