Kinsale to host the World Championship Regatta for Paralympic classes 22 -30 August 2013

Today, Friday 5th of April, Kinsale Yacht Club announced plans to host the IFDS (International Federation for Disabled Sailing) World Championships for 2013. This will be the first major Paralympic event following London 2012 with 120 disabled sailors from 20 countries expected to attend the regatta.

Cork County Council is supporting the Worlds which is one of only three World Championships leading up to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event will be called the Cork County Council IFDS World Championships.

Speaking at today's launch Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Barbara Murray stated "Cork County Council is delighted to support this major international event in 2013. As part of Cork County Council IFDS Worlds, Kinsale is being marketed internationally as a major tourism and sailing centre of excellence and we look forward to welcoming all the sailors and support teams to a fantastic 10 day event in August".

Kinsale Yacht Club member John Twomey who has participated in 10 Paralympic Games, more than any other Olympic or Paralympic athlete, was elected President of the International Federation of Disabled Sailors at the ISAF (International Sailing Federation) conference in November 2012.

John commented on today's launch "I have received so much support from Kinsale and the sailing community over my years of Paralympic competition. It gives me great pleasure to host this event as IFDS President in my home waters".

In addition to the sailors, Kinsale also expects to welcome 300 support staff and family to Kinsale and a full social calendar including a parade and civic reception has been planned.

Kinsale bid for the event in 2010 against stiff competition from Perth in Australia and Qingdao in China. This is the first time that the IFDS Worlds are being hosted in Ireland. The organising committee, under the direction of Regatta Director John Stallard, has been developing plans since they were awarded the event in 2010.

Kinsale is no stranger to major international events including the Dragon World Cup, the bi-annual Sovereigns Cup, the Figaro single handed race and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Kinsale Yacht Club is currently undergoing major refurbishments in preparation for this year's season.

"The support we have received from Cork County Council, the Irish Sailing Association, Irish Sports Council, the Gathering and Eli Lilly has been tremendous. Since being awarded this event over two years ago we have received so much support from sponsors and especially from accommodation suppliers, restaurants and all the people of Kinsale. We want everyone who attends this event to tell all their family and friends what a great location Kinsale is to visit" commented IFDS Regatta Director John Stallard.

Teams from China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA, Canada, Brazil, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Greece, Austria, Poland, Norway, Israel, Holland, Portugal and Ireland are expected to attend amongst others.

Niamh McCutcheon, President of the Irish Sailing Association commented "The ISA has been making substantial efforts to grow and support sailing for people with disabilities in Ireland in partnership with the Irish Disabled Sailing Association and Kinsale Yacht Club is one of the organisations spearheading this effort. I am delighted for Kinsale and especially for John Twomey that they are hosting the Worlds. In addition the hosting of the event acknowledges the work done in recent years to improve the quality of Ireland's Race Management and our ability to successfully host international events".