SAVE THE SKUD!! Open Letter to World Sailing and Para World Sailing Committee

[Tim Dempsey]

Hi Everyone

As you are probably already aware the Para World Sailing Committee (PWSC) has decided, with no or very little input from the Sailors to drop the SKUD as a future Paralympic Class.  Thats right they are dropping the 49er of the Paralympic Classes!

If you are a current SKUD Helm/TPA you should be worried as it appears at this point that there is not really many options for you moving forward.  Like wise if you are a female sailor there appears to be nothing in place to ensure women remain in a reasonable percentage in Paralympic Sailing.

Please find an open letter from me to World Sailing and the Para World Sailing Committee attached.  This is the response I received from Betsy Alison the Chairperson of the PWS Committee “Hi Tim. Will circulate to full PWSC and bring your points up at the Sailors forum here at Worlds in Medemblik.  Betsy”  I will not be attending so please if you are attending could you ask some of the questions raised in the attached letter?  Also it would be great to get some feedback from TPA’s if they have sailed the RS Venture particularly in 20 plus knots, or in fact any of the proposed new classes.

IF YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT KEEPING THE SKUD AS A PARALYMPIC CLASS NOW IS YOUR TIME TO SPEAK OUT.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CIRCULATE THE ATTACHED LETTER.

Kind Regards

Tim Dempsey

Auckland, New Zealand

timde...@xtra.co.nz