Since World Sailing launched its campaign to reinstate sailing into the Paralympic Games for LA28, the overriding message has been that sailing is a sport for all and is life-changing.
Sailing – present at every Paralympic Games since Atlanta 1996 to Rio 2016 – is also a global family, and this is why the #BacktheBid campaign to reinstate sailing into the Paralympic Games, has been met with universal support from the international sailing community.
Bouwe Bekking, round the world sailing legend, eight-time competitor in The Ocean Race, and multiple world champion from The Netherlands, said, “Sailing is a sport for everyone and is very social. In the last five years there has been a 30% increase in the number of participants in international Para Sailing events, it is clear that it is super popular. So, give Para Sailors another chance to get to the pinnacle of our sport: the Paralympic Games!”
Two-time Olympian, world champion, and round the world sailor, Francesca Clapcich, shares these thoughts and emphasised the camaraderie between sailors.
She said, “I have wonderful memories of days at London 2012 spent training in the sea, in the gym, on a bike and in the pool all together. All together, the Olympic and Paralympic teams. We shared dinners, chats, victories, disappointments but above all lots of laughs! No difference, just a group of athletes working for one goal, the Olympic and Paralympic Games!”
