The International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) has formally requested the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to introduce an exciting new discipline to the 2016 Paralympics.
The proposal outlines the request for blind sailing to be an official event in the 2016 Paralympics.
Kylie Forth, Association client and blind match-racing sailor, comments on the announcement of the new proposal.
‘It is so exciting to have blind match-racing proposed as an official sport in the Paralympics. Not only will it guarantee increased participation by sailors with a vision impairment in the Paralympics, but it will raise the profile of autonomous blind sailing internationally' says Kylie.
‘Having the sport in the Paralympics would open up a world of opportunities; not only in funding and coaching, but in recognition of, and support for, the sport.'
The 2011 International Blind Match-Racing Championships will be held in Perth, Western Australia, and will be the first event using the proposed format.
‘It is exciting to be a member of the club that will be hosting the first Paralympic test event for blind sailing, and to be a competitor at the event. These are extremely exciting times for blind sailing, and it is all going to be happening in Perth next year.'
Promoting the 2011 International Blind Match-Racing Championships as a Paralympic test event for the new format, has already convinced several countries to send teams to Perth next year.
Due to the IPC processes for assessing the application, the IFDS hopes to advise the outcome of the proposal by early 2011.
When asked if she is going to compete in the Blind Sailing Match-Racing if it makes it to the 2016 Paralympics Kylie says she can only try.
‘I am definitely going to try! We will of course be stepping up blind sailing on a national level, and hope to have many teams to choose from by the time it comes to selection for the Paralympics' said Kylie.
‘It would be an absolute honour to represent Australia at the Paralympics, and I hope that by then I will be good enough to be selected to join the Australian team' she continues.
Follow Us On Facebook