What do the Worlds mean in terms of London 2012?

This is the final chance for countries to qualify a boat for London 2012. But which nations have already qualified and how many more countries will be trying to seal their place at next year's Paralympics at this event?

The Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships 2011 are the final chance for countries to qualify their ‘slot’ for next year’s Paralympic Games.

Last year’s Worlds in the Netherlands provided the first opportunity which means that seven countries in the 2.4mR and Sonar classes and six in the SKUD, plus Britain, which is automatically allocated a slot per class as the host nation, come into these Championships with the pressure off.

However for everyone else, qualifying their country for London 2012 is objective number one this week.

A nation can be allocated no more than one qualification slot (boat) per class and the maximum qualification slots to be allocated per class for London 2012 are as follows:
Fourteen (14) - 2.4mR (Single-Person Keelboat)
Twelve (12) - SKUD18 (Two-Person Keelboat)
Fourteen (14) - Sonar (Three-Person Keelboat) 

This means that there are still six slots available to be filled in the 2.4mR and Sonar classes, and five in the SKUD, at this week’s event.

A maximum total of 80 athletes will compete at the London 2012 Paralympic sailing regatta.

The following countries have already qualified for London 2012.

 For the full qualification criteria click here.

To see the results from the 2010 IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championships click here

2/7/2011 13:38