The 2024 event will be first Class Worlds to take place in the United Kingdom. It will be hosted by Midlands-based Rutland Sailing Club (RSC), situated on the Southern shore of the largest reservoir in England, Rutland Water. The dates of the event are confirmed as 30 September to 3 October 2024.

The 2024 World Championship will feature a World Sailing sanctioned ‘Para’ category for teams consisting of two sailors both with World Sailing Minimal Disability (MD) Para Classification status at the time of the event. The event will also feature an ‘Inclusive’ category which is aimed at increasing opportunities for participation by disabled sailors whose disability does not meet the Para Classification criteria. Teams wishing to enter the World Championship in this ‘Inclusive’ category will need to self-certify that at least one sailor in each team is a sailor with a disability.

Registration for the 2024 World Championship can be completed via the dedicated online event entry portal on the RSSailing.club platform. A Notice of Race (NOR) document and other useful event-related information is available via this platform.

With the International RS Venture Connect Class choosing not to impose a limit on the number of teams that can enter from any one nation, the competition to be crowned Class Champion in both the ‘Para’ and ‘Inclusive’ categories will no doubt be fierce. RS Sailing is providing a fleet of eight RS Venture Connect charter boats for use at the event. Teams wishing to bring their own boats to the event are welcome to do so but they are urged to ensure that their boats meet the current class-specific equipment rules in order to be eligible to compete. Teams should contact the RS Venture Connect Class if they are in any doubt about whether their boat/s meet the current class specifications.

Dan Jaspers, Head of International Sales and Business Development at RS Sailing and the Manufacturer’s Representative for the RS Venture Connect Class, said, “I am excited to have the class worlds coming to the UK. Unlike the majority of the RS classes, the RS Venture Connect Class has seen most of its growth outside of our ‘home’ market and I very much believe that having this event in the UK will help us to kick-start class activity here in our own back yard, something that would benefit all Inclusive and Para sailors from the UK that have been supporting the class by attending events overseas for the last few years.

These are exciting times for the sport of sailing and, on behalf of the RS Venture Connect Class and RS Sailing, I am proud that we continue to champion inclusive sailing in our day-to-day activities. I look forward to seeing everyone at Rutland Sailing Club in September.”

Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Manager at World Sailing added, “We are really excited to be supporting the RS Venture Connect Class World Championship this year as they come to the UK for the first time. As we step forward into a new World Sailing strategy that focusses on Inclusivity, it is really positive to see classes like the RS Venture Connect embracing the change, and putting in fantastic efforts to support and grow Para and Inclusive sailing. RS is one of the manufacturers of Para and Inclusive equipment that are truly stepping into the development of Inclusive racing and have been instrumental in keeping the development of our sport at the heart of their activities.

Having Rutland Sailing club host this World Championship has also been fantastic, and I’m so grateful that they are giving their incredible club to the sailors as a platform not only for this competition, but also the Inclusive Development Program. We’re looking forward to some truly inclusive racing and of course seeing the Para, the Inclusive and the class World Champions crowned.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to develop Inclusive sailing internationally, World Sailing will be conducting an Inclusive Development Program (IDP) Clinic at Rutland Sailing Club prior to the RS Venture Connect World Championships, on 28-29 September.

Teams, if eligible, will be able to apply for financial subsidies towards travel and accommodation to attend the IDP clinic and the RS Venture Connect Worlds event. The limited funding from World Sailing will apply to up to two sailors and one coach per team. Teams planning to attend the IDP clinic or wishing to apply for the funding subsidies available should contact Hannah Stodel at Para World Sailing to register their interest.

Text and images courtesy of RSSailing.com.

tags