Sailability Ireland launches ‘Presidents Cup’

"The Presidents Cup has been named in honour of 10-time Paralympian and current President of the International Disabled Sailing Association, John Twomey"

Sailability Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), has launched ‘The Presidents Cup’ – a new championship to encourage sailors with an impairment to compete in the classes sailed at Paralympic and international level.

‘The Presidents Cup’ has been named in honour of 10-time Paralympian and current President of the International Disabled Sailing Association, John Twomey from Kinsale Yacht Club.

John is this week competing at the IDFS World Championships in Canada in the hope of qualifying for his 11th consecutive Paralympic Games.

A team of 10 sailors from each of the four Irish provinces will compete in four different classes; the Hansa 303, SKUD 18, Squib and Sonar for this prestigious prize.

Kinsale Yacht Club will host this inaugural event which will be held on 6-7 September. In 2013 the Club hosted the IFDS Disabled World Sailing Championships and this event will form part of that legacy.

Six races will be sailed and the team that has the best results in the four classes will be crowned champions.

Any sailors with an impairment who would like to join a team and represent their Province or sailors and instructors who would like to assist in this inaugural event, please contact the ISA.