[Yknot-list] Fwd: IFDS sanctions Australia's UD-18 as Paralympic Class

[Spencer Raggio]

>Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2005 00:02:46 -0700
>From: Steve Alvey <steve at martin16.com>
>Subject: IFDS sanctions Australia's UD-18 as Paralympic Class
>
>IFDS sanctions Australia's UD-18 as new Paralympic Class
>
>Dan McCoy, Canada's delegate to the International Foundation for 
>Disabled Sailing (IFDS) AGM has advised that the IFDS announced that 
>Australia's UD-18 will be the equipment used for a new two-person 
>keelboat event in the 2008 Paralympic Games.  This decision will 
>undoubtedly surprise national sailing authorities, many hopeful 
>Paralympic sailors and coaches around the globe.
>
>In 1995, Don Martin's innovative Martin 16 sloop was designed to 
>make the sport of sailing accessible to men and women with severe 
>disabilities.  Since its introduction, the scope and depth of Martin 
>16 activity has steadily grown.  Now, more than 130 Martin 16s are 
>sailing in nine countries around the world.  Over the past three 
>seasons, the Martin 16 Class developed, tested and confirmed the 
>safety of the new two-person spinnaker sailing format for Paralympic 
>level competition, and acknowledged the IFDS for their recognition 
>of this exciting new format.  The Martin 16 Paralympic Bid Project 
>was formed to embrace the opportunity to participate in the IFDS 
>evaluation, and present the Martin 16 as proven equipment for the 
>new Paralympic event.  The depth of experience and support for the 
>Class and the Martin 16 Bid submission and are widely acknowledged 
>within the sailing community as unmatched.
>
>The Martin 16 Class Association has active chapters in Canada, 
>Italy, the U.K. and U.S. and the 2006 event calendar 
>(<http://www.martin16class.org/>www.martin16class.org ) offers 
>dozens of local events as well as National, North American and 
>European Championships.  The Class is strong and now, with the 
>uncertainty of the IFDS decision resolved, the activity of the 
>Martin 16 Class will continue to grow internationally.
>
>I extend my gratitude to the Martin 16 Paralympic Bid Project - 
>Advisory Committee, the Martin 16 Class Association, Canadian 
>Yachting Association, the National Yacht Club and Royal Canadian 
>Yacht Club and their members, disabled sailing program operators, 
>the hundreds of Martin 16 sailors, Martin 16 suppliers and Canadians 
>at large that supported the Martin 16 Paralympic Bid Project.
>
>Fair sailing!
>
>Steve Alvey, Operations Manager
>Martin 16 Paralympic Bid Project
>*********************************************
><http://www.martin16.com/>www.martin16.com
>403-870-7210  fax: 403-233-2285
><mailto:steve at martin16.com>steve at martin16.com
>*********************************************
>
>
>
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