|
Paralympics - Why the 2.4 Metre?
This exciting, sophisticated single-handed
boat has been used by sailors of all ages and abilities since the mid 80s.
Although sailed predominantly in Europe it is now built in North America and Australia.
Owing to its design, where the sailor sits
facing forward and all controls are led back to the cockpit, it was soon
realised that the boat was particularly suitable for use by disabled sailors.
At the same time it attracts top class able-bodied helmsmen.
This was one of the reasons why ISAF (then IYRU ) agreed that the 2.4 should be recognised as an
International Class in1992.
The boat was demonstrated during the 1992
Paralympics in Barcelona and it was hoped that a single-handed class would be
accepted for the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. However, owing to restrictions in the overall numbers
of athletes in the Atlanta games, this did not occur.
Initially, only three person crew boats were
to be included in the Sydney Paralympics but the authorities were eventually
persuaded by the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing in conjunction
with the International 2.4 Class Association to include a single handed
class.
The primary reason for this was that the 2.4
could be sailed competitively by almost anyone, irrespective of their
disability.
The 2.4 competition at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney
was very exciting and demonstrated the success of the boat as the vehicle for
the single-handed Paralympic sailing discipline.
Paralympics - 2.4m Class -
regulations
The following specifications have been drawn
up for the 2.4 to be used in the Paralympics and all boats must comply with
these specifications.
1) The boat shall be a Norlin MK III design
2) The boat shall be built by a licensed
builder.
3) The hull shall be constructed using a GRP
laminate, which uses a polyester derived chain linked molecular reaction and
a resin which uses a hardener to effect a cure on the base resin is specifically
excluded.
4) The boat shall meet the International 2.4
class rule.
5) Weight specifications:-
Hull including fittings minimum 66 Kilos
Lead maximum 180 Kilos
Total weight including all rigging and and sails
minimum 260 Kilos
Any corrections to the weights shown above
will be made by permanently fixing weights to the underside of the deck
within the cockpit area.
6) The boats shall have solid buoyancy and not
air bags or sealed compartments and will be float tested prior to the commencement
of racing.
Also see the IFDS website:
http://sailing.org/disabled
|