British Team at the IFDS Blind Match Racing Championships

by Lucy Hodges 10 Sep 2014 14:19 BST 9-14 September 2014

From the 9th - 14th September, Sheboygan Yacht Club are welcoming IFDS and Blind sailors from around the world.

Team GBR are once again represented at this event seeing Liam Cattermole and Lucy Hodges enter the event after taking Gold at the International Blind Match Racing Championships earlier this year and will be joined by Vicki Sheen. GBR team have changed the roles of the sailors at this event as it is being sailed in the three person keelboat format seeing the regatta take place in Sonars racing in two categories:

• Category 1: 3 points, this Category is made up of three total blind sailors
• Category 2: 6 points, this category is make up of a B1 helm and a B2 and B3 crew or can be sailed with lower classified sailors

GBR will see Vicki Sheen a B1 take the helm and Lucy Hodges and Liam Cattermole crewing making a total of 5 points one point under the maximum. They will be competing against countries from Australia, Canada, Italy and USA.

Blind Matching has moved forward seeing the sighted observers step of the boat and provide limited safety instruction from a rib, this is the Blind Sailors from around the world demonstrate their skills by sound only. All makes of the windward leeward course have their ow unique sound allowing the sailor make tactical deceptions on sound and feel of the wind alone. Each boat too has a sound system attached letting each boat know which tack their opponent is on allowing for boat on boat manoeuvres to gain those all important penalties.

Today saw each team take to the great waters of Lake Michigan for a practise race and to get a feel for the conditions, winds where steady and light will a slight rolling waves. The boats are in great condition all managed by sail Sheboygan and their hospitality to all sailors has truly made the start of this event welcoming.

The evening was held at Sheboygan Yacht Club seeing each team welcomed with an open ceremony of each country's flag, this event has some great sponsors but it is clear that the Lions Club from around Sheboygan have played a big part and their volunteers throughout the day are making the event a friendly and easy event to attend.

The racing gets under way on the 10th however weather may delay the star with large thunder storms approaching.

GBR would like to thank all their sponsors; Zhik, North Face and EASST. Without their support the team would not be able to attend and have the coaching support of Ian Shirra.