Members of the USVI Paralympic Sailing team arrived in Canada on Tuesday to compete in the 2014 Highliner International Federation of Disabled Sailing world competition (www.ifdsworlds2014.ca), being held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The four Virgin Islanders will compete against teams from around the world to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The USVI athletes are among 176 people competing in the regatta – 53 coaches and 176 racers representing countries around the world.
USVI team members competing include Jim Kerr, David Flaherty and Bobby Blackwell of St. Thomas, all of whom will race on a 23-foot Sonar sailboat, and Tony Sanpere of St. Croix, who will compete on a single-handed, 13-foot, 8-inch sailboat in the 2.4mR class. Olympic Star class sailor, John Foster of St. Thomas is coaching the team.
This is the first time the territory has sent a team to this international Paralympic qualifying event.
The International Association for Disabled Sailing is an affiliate member of the International Paralympic Committee and has been authorized by the International Sailing Federation to conduct sailing competitions for people with disabilities worldwide.
According to its website, the IFDS promotes all types of sailing for people with all types and degrees of disability. It works to bring people onto the water at every level of skill, competition and enjoyment.
Those interested can follow the team’s progress online at www.facebook.com/USVISailing.
