April Para Rankings underlines strength of growing Global Calendar

The latest World Sailing Para Inclusive Rankings are now live, offering a fresh snapshot of athlete performance while also underlining the continued growth of Para Inclusive Sailing on the international stage. Published on 30 April as part of World Sailing’s quarterly rankings schedule, this latest release reflects the strength of a sport that is becoming broader, more visible and more connected around the world.

This rankings cycle has been built on seventy-five tracked events, showcasing the scale of activity now feeding into the system. From Europe to Asia, Oceania and North America, the latest update reflects a truly international calendar, with sailors competing across a wide range of regattas, championships and national qualifiers. Events in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong China, Thailand, France, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal and the United States have all formed part of the wider picture in this cycle.

Rankings remain one of the clearest measures of performance outside direct World Championship competition. They provide athletes with a meaningful benchmark, give organisers and nations a stronger sense of where competition is growing, and offer a transparent picture of Para Innclusive Sailing activity worldwide. These Rankings show 32 MNAs active during the month, reflecting an overall rise to 40 nations competing in Para Inclusive Sailing events over the last year. They play an important role in demonstrating the credibility, structure and reach of the sport at international level.

The Rankings also continue to reflect Para Inclusive Sailing’s event-based rankings model, introduced to create a fairer and more modern framework for recognising results. Rather than being tied solely to equipment, the system is designed to capture athlete performance within the relevant event categories, helping provide a more equitable and representative view of competition across Para Sailing.

While the rankings naturally celebrate the sailors at the top of the table, the wider significance lies in what they represent: more events, more opportunities, more visibility, and more athletes competing internationally. Every result processed contributes to a stronger picture of the sport and helps reinforce the pathways that support athlete progression at all levels.

Para Rankings: Top Three April 2026:

Para Men – One Person

1. Joao Pinto POR
2. Rory McKinna GBR
3. Jim Thweatt USA

Para Women – One Person

1. Zaida Maricel Perez CHI
2. Violeta Del Reino Del Valle ESP
3. Tracy Schmitt CAN

Para Mixed – Two Person

1. 1st Helm: Piotr Cichocki / Crew: Olga Gornas-Gruzdzien POL
2. 2nd Helm: Fia Fjelddahl / Crew: Patric Rosenberg SWE
3. 3rd Helm: Johanna Glennert / Crew: Jonas Andrén SWE

Para Visual Impairment

1. Lucy Hodges VI, Liam Cattermole VI, Steve Tylecote – Sighted Guide, Jamie Tylecote – Sighted Guide GBR
2. Dani Pich VI, Carmen Lopez Garcia VI, Jordi Sánchez Pérez – Sighted Guide, Sighted Guide – Monica Azon ESP
3. Karl Haines VI, Martin Phillips VI, Gary Butler – Sighted Guide, Chris Macey – Sighted Guide GBR

Para Intellectual Impairment

1. Xervier Doney / Paul Doney NZL
2. Marwan Suloom UAE
3. Leo Purdie / Joel Felipe HKG

As the sport continues to build, the rankings are becoming more powerful with every cycle. They are not only a recognition of excellence at the top, but a reflection of a growing global movement; one shaped by stronger pathways, deeper international participation and a competition calendar that continues to expand. With seventy-five events feeding into this latest publication, the message is clear: Para Sailing is moving forward with momentum.

If you have events or results you wish to be featured in the World Sailing Para Rankings, please email para.worldsailing@sailing.org