First 2018 Paralympic Development Program clinic heads to Italy

Eighteen sailors’, coaches and Member National Authority (MNA) representatives have registered for the next Paralympic Development Program (PDP) in Malcesine, Italy, from 8-13 May 2018.

Representatives from Austria, Estonia and Antigua will be receiving expert training and guidance to prepare for the 2018 Para World Sailing Championships.
 
The World Sailing PDP helps MNAs by assisting in the development of national Para World Sailing and training programmes. As well as supporting the training of Para World Sailors and their coaches through a number of dedicated performance clinics, and if required, helping to arrange classification opportunities for sailors. The PDP also focusses on enabling the participating nations to grow sustainable training programs.
 
Sailors attending include; Marina Perterer (AUT), Barbara Marschik (AUT), Theodoros Karagkiozidis (GRE), Irini Kourouvani (GRE), Gabriel Barroso De Maria (ESP), Ergo Mets (EST) Linda Cerpa (LAT) and Justine Liepina (LAT).
 
Marina Perterer (AUT) is a female Paralympic sailor who will be taking part in the Malcesine PDP, she expressed her thoughts on the program, “It is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in racing sailboats against each other and also to close the gap when competing in high-level events, like the Worlds or Europeans.”
 
Perterer is looking forward to attending the event and gaining more experience with the Hansa 303 boat.
 
“We previously attended the PDP in Meze [France] and it was an amazing event. We had the opportunity to try the Hansa 303 and I gained a lot of skills in regatta sailing. Not to forget, we had a great time with other Para sailors from all around the world and we shared valuable experiences. I´m looking forward to the next PDP event in Italy, as I´m sure we all are!”
 
Para sailors participating in the PDP come from different backgrounds and have all entered the sport from a variety of reasons, “I was involved in Paralympic Skiing for the Austrian Team before I started sailing in 2006,” commented Perterer. “I then began to learn to sail to earn my money by teaching sailing in my holidays and during my studies.
 
“Four Years later I started to compete in Para World Sailing regattas and since then I fell in love with the competition. I love racing against other boats.”
 
For further information on the Paralympic Development Program, please contact Para World Sailing Manager, Massimo Dighe, via para.worldsailing@sailing.org.

The PDP clinics aid in increasing Para World Sailing participation globally and are an integral part of World Sailing’s Strategic Plan.

More information on the Para World Sailing Strategic Plan can be found at http://www.sailing.org/news/41208.php#.WJH0LLGcb-Y.