Sailing

Two boats have been raced at the Paralympic Games: the 2.4mR, a single-person keelboat, and the Sonar, a three-person keelboat. A third event, the two-person keelboat, will be added to the program for the Beijing Games in 2008. Because of it's design and control, the 2.4mR was selected for single-person races. The boat's ease of use allows for a level playing field, making tactical knowledge the dominant factor in competition. The Sonar uses a versatile crew-friendly design that is accommodating to athletes with physical disabilities. It is used by sailors of all experience and ability levels, from the novice to international competitors. Paralympic sailing competition is open to male and female athletes with physical disabilities such as amputation/limb loss, blindness/visual impairment, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.