Britain v France

This time disabled sailors take to the water aboard mini 12 metres in Le Havre

On Saturday 27 September, during this, the European Year of the Handicapped, the Société des Régates du Havre Yacht Club wil be holding the first Franco-British Sailing Challenge for the Handicapped.

The French and British handicapped copmetitors will be teamed up with a non-handicapped crew, each sailing solo on board his MiniJi. 21 members will be in the British delegation. They will come from the UK, but also from Paris, with notably the participation of Giles Paxman, plenipotentiary minister at the British Embassy in Paris - the Embassy fully backing this event. Anne de Bagneaux-Savatier, President of the Société des Régates du Havre, will be a team member for the French delegation.

The events will take place on the Bassin Vauban, on board Mini Jis, which are scaled down 12 Metres.

Each handicapped competitor, be he British or French, will form a team with a non-handicapped competitor of the same nationality. Each competitor will sail solo on MiniJis, but the result of each Team will be based on the addition of points gained by each competitor.

There will be both results for teams and nations.

It will be possible to watch the Challenge from the start of the practice racing from 9.30 in Le Havre's Bassin Vauban. The races will begin at 10.30, and will last till 4.30pm. The prize-giving will take place in the evening at the SRH Club-House.