Delta Lloyd World Championships of Disabled Sailing 2010

by Sandra Dijksman

Delta Lloyd will be name giving sponsor for the IFDS Worlds 2010. Preparations for the World championship Disabled Sailing 2010, which will be held in Medemblik, the Netherlands from 6 – 14 July 2010, are in full swing. The Worlds are qualifiers for the 2012 Paralympics and will be sailed on fresh, non-tidal water.

Races will be sailed in the 2.4.mR, for (1 crew), the Skud 18 (2 crew) and Sonar (crew of three). All boats are adapted to the disability of their own crews to ensure fair competition on the water. Numerous top-sailing events are organized annually from the Medemblik Regatta centre. It is well equipped for welcoming many international competitors and accommodating their boats and coaches.

The International Foundation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) has found an enthusiastic organizing body in the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club (KNZ&RV). The Race Management Committee and the Housing Committee are busy planning races, accommodation and catering. On the water as well ashore they are being supported by a team of 90 volunteers, as more than 130 sailors from all over the world are expected to participate. Which, together with coaches, means providing facilities for some 300 people.

Meanwhile IFDS has received entries from amongst others Malaysia, USA, Canada, Croatia, Austria, Germany, UK, Greece, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Australia....and of course the Netherlands. The Dutch sailors are promising, as they were already successful in Southern France, Hyeres, in April during the fourth ISAF World Cup Sailing.

Last week many 2.4mR sailors have participated in the Delta Lloyd regatta, sub-division of the ISAF World Cup for Olympic and Paralympics classes, just as to get used to the water, in order to be well prepared for IFDS Worlds 2010. IFDS proudly presents Delta Lloyd as name giving sponsor. Delta Lloyd, leading sponsor of many sailing events, will guarantee an all-out sportive event, accompanied by festivities ashore.

IFDS Worlds 2010