Australian Sailing has announced a Para Sailing squad for 2018 featuring mix of sailors with years of international experience and some entering a performance coaching program for the first time.

The athletes recently competed at the European Para Sailing Championships in Kiel, Germany, and will now focus on being selected to represent Australia at the Para Sailing World Championships in Sheboygan in the US in September.

Despite sailing not being a Paralympic Sport for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, the Australian Sports Commission has provided Australian Sailing with some interim project funding for this year. The objective is to ensure Australia is represented at the World Championships and maintains momentum for development of Australian para sailors until the IPC announcement of the 2024 Sports Program in early 2019.

“While the program is reduced from previous years, we are pleased to be able to support athletes with a range of experience to compete at major international events”, Para Sailing Coordinator David Staley said.

The 2018 Australian Para Sailing Squad members are:

· Matthew Bugg, TAS (Norlin 2.4 OD)

· Mark Durnan, NSW (Norlin 2.4 OD)

· Neil Patterson, VIC (Norlin 2.4 OD)

· Jason Elwes, NSW (Hansa 303)

· Christopher Symonds, TAS (Hansa 303)

· Alison Weatherly, VIC (Hansa 303)

· Genevieve Wickham, WA (Hansa 303)

Matt Bugg was the silver medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the Norlin 2.4, and Chris Symonds last year claimed the silver medal at the Para World Championships and Asia-Pacific Open Championship in the Hansa 303.

“Norlin 2.4 sailors Neil Patterson and Mark Durnan have been flying the Australian flag at the European Para Sailing Championships in Kiel during June,” Staley said.

“Following a training camp in Melbourne with all athletes in late July, the team to compete at the Para World Championships will be confirmed.”.

Grant Alderson, the coach of Australia’s 2016 gold medal winning Sonar Team, has been appointed as Head Coach and Norlin 2.4 Coach. Mike Darby from Tasmania is the Hansa 303 Coach.

For additional information, contact Australian Sailing’s Para Sailing Coordinator David Staley - parasailing@sailing.org.au

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