Paralympic Modifications at World Masters Games

[Paul WhiteKeymaster]

Paralympic Weta Sailors at the World Masters Games, Auckland, April 2017
Three Paralympic sailors finished in the top 20 of the 30-strong solo Weta class fleet which is a great achievement.

Level 4 Para sailors Chris Sharp and Andrew May with limited movement below the waist, had some modifications to the boat.

These  included stainless steel back supports bolted to the tramp edges, which helps those with limited upper body strength, a transit bench across the cockpit to make it easier to slide across from one side to the other when tacking and taking the mainsheet forward to the front of the cockpit fed through a tube under a false floor.

[caption id="attachment_9875" align="alignnone" width="300"] Photo by CMGSPORT[/caption]

Here’s Chris Sharp’s test of the Weta

He and Andrew May also undertook capsize recovery testing

Neil Patterson 2.4 Paralympian
Neil Patterson in Melbourne, Australia undertook extensive testing of a Weta with few modifications apart from adding some foam pool noodles to the hiking straps to enable him to sit out more easily without sliding down the tramps.

Sailability Cairns

Sailability which provides sailing to the disabled in Cairns, Australia have been evaluating a borrowed Weta  with an able-bodied helm and disabled crew. This has been highly rewarding for all concerned compared with the very safe but dull sailing most of the disabled sailors have experienced previously.

[video width="720" height="1280" mp4="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/22256043_1604515946277388_1635695503922429952_n-2.mp4"][/video] [video width="720" height="1280" mp4="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/22256043_1604515946277388_1635695503922429952_n-1.mp4"][/video] [video width="720" height="1280" mp4="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/22256043_1604515946277388_1635695503922429952_n.mp4"][/video]

No modifications have been made to the Weta and it has been used with up to two passengers.

Weta seat development 

Mike Wood, of Weta UK is a disabled sailor who has developed a drop-in seat to enable him to sail his Weta.

Weta France has also been testing a seat with disabled passengers.

NOTE: Due to safety concerns if a capsize should occur, Weta Marine do not endorse any SOLO centreline sailing using the drop-in seat. At least one member of the crew must be able bodied and able to effect a rescue if a capsize should occur.

 

 

 

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