Campaign success – 34 nations now actively involved in Para Sailing

World Sailing has published a six-month progress report on the implementation of its Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029. The update shows that 34 nations are now actively participating in international Para Sailing, reflecting the sport’s global expansion.

The strategy focuses on four key areas: increasing participation, developing Para Inclusive events, enhancing social impact through collaboration, and seeking Paralympic reinstatement. (In 2023, sailing bodies from around the world expressed their disappointment at the International Paralympic Committee’s decision not to reinstate sailing to the Paralympic Games for LA28).

Current participation data reported by World Sailing indicates that the sport meets one of the requirements for inclusion in the Paralympics.

As part of the initiative, World Sailing has introduced a dedicated Para Inclusive event schedule and continues to work with Para and Para-preferred classes to align with international standards. Measures have also been implemented to strengthen the sport’s governance, including anti-doping protocols at World Championships and for Para sailors in the regular testing pool. A revision of the current para classification rules is also in progress.

“When we launched the World Sailing Para Inclusive Strategy it was with the long-term direction of the sport in mind. With a new World Sailing Para Sailing Committee in place, we are entering a new era for Para Inclusive Sailing, and while we have made solid progress in the first six months of the strategy, our overarching success will be evident over the years to come,” says Hannah Stodel, World Sailing’s Para Sailing manager.

“We are delighted that the sailing community has embraced the strategy and our actions to enhance Para Inclusive Sailing so far. Through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to inclusivity, we are showing that sailing can be a sport that is open to all.

“As we move forward, we must continue to work together, support the sport, and ensure sailing continues to provide life-changing opportunities for sailors of all abilities, and show that in sailing we are all in the same boat.”

In the past five years, the number of nations competing in international Para Sailing events has increased by 30 per cent. Youth participation has grown from 16 per cent to 19 per cent, while women’s participation has risen from 23 per cent to 27 per cent.

The Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) has contributed to this expansion, reaching 151 participants across 34 countries in its first two years. The programme provides coaching, training and development resources to support Para sailors.

World Sailing says feedback on the IDP has been positive, with Net Promoter Scores (NPS) consistently above 70, and some events scoring as high as 92, indicating high satisfaction levels among participants.

The six-month update on the Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029 can be accessed online now. The full strategy document is also available for download.