Setting foot in China

The US Disabled Sailing Team are preparing for the IFDS Qingdao International Regatta

Ten members of the US Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics have landed in Qingdao, China, and are preparing for five days of racing at the International Association For Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Qingdao International Regatta.

The U.S. has sent five of its top-ranked teams to the event from 11-15 May. In the Sonar, the Paralympic team of Rick Doerr, Tim Angle, and Bill Donohue will race, as well as the second-ranked team led by Paul Callahan with Mike Hersey and Roger Cleworth as crew. In the SKUD 18, Scott Whitman and Julia Dorsett will represent the United States, as the Paralympic team of Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker will not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Competing in the 2.4mR are John Ruf and Marc LeBlanc, ranked first and second respectively. US Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics members who sit first in the rankings have qualified to compete in the Paralympic Games in September, also in Qingdao, China.

Although it is not an official test event, the IFDS Qingdao International Regatta will serve as the most realistic training the teams and the organizers will see before the Paralympic Games in the fall. Head Coach Betsy Alison says in an email from China, “There is no substitute for practicing at the venue in preparation for the big show.”

Alison continues with an analysis of the competition: “The field of competitors in each of the three classes will be nearly identical to the Paralympic fleet in September. All of the top teams in each fleet are here. Racing does not officially start until May 11, but all teams will be taking to the water for some serious training sessions with a practice race on May 10.”

Olympic and Paralympic sailors have expressed concern about the light breezes at the venue, but Alison was optimistic: “In decided contrast to what the Olympic classes have seen in their August test events, the wind has been quite good for the past few weeks (according to forecasts) and the temperature is springtime pleasant. We hope it will be similar to what we might see in September.”

Nine races are scheduled over five days, and the sailors will race trapezoid courses following a traditional race format without a medal race. Sonar crew Tim Angle says, “China, so far, has been a really interesting place. It is incredible to see how helpful the local people have been. We look forward to a well run, competitive event.”