Canadians Target Podium at 2016 Para World Championships
June 1, 2016
The 2016 Para World Championships marks the final showdown between all the major players preparing for the Rio Paralympic Games in September. There is no question around the fleet quality as the major players for all competing nations are in Medemblik, NED. Fleets consist of 16 Sonars (13 countries), 15 Skuds (12 countries) and 29 2.4mR’s across 19 countries. Canada is represented by Rio bound Sonar team, Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes, fellow Paralympic reps John McRoberts and Jackie Gay in the Skud, and new National team member Peter Eagar in the 2.4 mR.
Sonar Class: This event is set up to establish the medal favourites heading into Rio. The defending World Champions from Great Britain Jon Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas (5th at 2012 Games) will be challenged by a veteran fleet of competitors including Canada (Silver in 2014 and 5th in 2015 Worlds), AUS – Harrison, Harris and Boaden (Bronze in 2014 and Silver in 2015 Worlds), NOR – Wang-Hansen, Solberg, Kristensen (Bronze @ 2012 Games, Bronze @ 2015 Worlds), FRA – Joudren, Flageuil, Viccary (4th @ 2012 Games, Gold at 2014 Worlds), GER – Kroker, Mainka, Prem (Silver @ 2012 Games) among other talented teams.
Skud Class: With one of the largest and most competitive fleets gathered for this class it will be an interesting week to see if a new pecking order will be established. The Canadian husband and wife team of McRoberts and Gay are looking to move onto the podium having come off a Bronze medal performance in Garda earlier this month. The Skud fleet is loaded with Paralympic veterans included the defended World Champions and Paralympic Games Gold Medallists Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch of Australia, Great Britain’s Alexandra Rickman and Niki Burrell (Bronze in 2012 and Silver @ 2015 Worlds and Italia’s Marco Gualandris/Marta Zanetti (5th @ 2012 Parlympics and Bronze at 2015 Worlds).
2.4mR: The most popular Paralympic fleet has the largest contingent of entries with 29 entries representing 19 countries. Canada’s Paralympic entry Bruce Millar is one of the few players not in attendance choosing to remain home in his Paralympic Games preparation. Canada will be represented by Peter Eagar, coming off a solid Sailing World Cup Miami performance and looking to gain experience amongst the World leaders.
For results of this event view the website below:
Website: http://www.deltalloydregatta.org/
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