A Homerus Press Release
Mondello, Italy, November 5, 2007

Light airs yet fast action on the final day of Blind Match Racing Championships

The light conditions experienced throughout the regatta continued on the final day of racing at the Homerus Blind Match Racing Championships. On day 4 the committee continued to race competitors within their allotted round robin groups to be able to reach a semi final group. Storm cells hung low on the mountains threatening to delay proceedings as races were started in a light consistent 5 knot breeze from the North East.

After three flights a semi final group emerged with matches to be raced between the winners of group 1 and 2, Luigi Bertanza (ITA) lined up against the young Etiam Israeli (ISR), and Paulien Eitjes (NZL) against Hurtado Roser (SPN). Bertanza ranked 1st had not lost a flight so far in the regatta, however the Israeli team had tactically outwitted his opponents in races so far. Paulien Eitjes (NZL) a new comer to match racing was ready to meet Roser (SPN) also new to the game.

Light rain dotted the bay and the course was changed to face the South West before Bertanza (ITA) met Israeli (ISR). In 2 races Bertanza ‘Gigi’ (ITA) and Israeli (ISR) both had excellent boat handling in the light conditions, however Gigi had the tactical advantage, as he controlled his opponent from the right hand side of the course going up wind to finish ahead in both races. In the Semi finals between Eitjes (NZL) and Roser (SPN), Eitjes had the tactical advantages in both races and sailed a shorter course to finish ahead.

BSI have been advised by IFDS of the approval of the bid for World Championship status for the Seventh World Blind Sailing Championships. IFDS World Blind Sailing Championship 2009

The event will be held in Rotorua New Zealand and Hosted by the club of Blind Sailing New Zealand's Chairman, The Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron. The boats to be used will be the 25 foot Trailer yacht the Nolex 25. The races will be sailied on Lake Rotorua and the centre for the regatta will be the Rotorua events centre. http://www.rotoruanz.com/home.asp

Accommodation is yet to be finalised but all competitors will be situated at one venue. There are a large number of restaurants in the city so many to say it will be a challenge indeed to visit them all during the time of the visit.

The Journey to Rotorua is around 3 hours by bus from the Auckland International Airport where hire vehicles are readily available. There is also a local air service to Rotorua from the Auckland Domestic Terminal at the same Airport.

Proposed dates of the Championship are Friday March 13, 2009 to Saturday March 21, 2009

A web site is to be set up specifically for the event. a link will be posted when the site is online. 

The members of Blind Sailing International have voted a Life Membership to their long standing and hard working Chairman, Arthur O'Neill of Massachusetts.

Arthur has been involved with Blind Sailing from the outset, competing in the first Blind Sailing Regatta in Auckland, 1992 and being the United States delegate to the first general meeting.

The Secretariat moved to Great Britain in 1994 and at the 1997 general meeting held in Weymouth, England Arthur became World Chairman, a position he has held since, enduring three Blind Worlds and with an invitation to join us all at the next regatta in New Zealand.

The honour is well deserved and came as a complete surprise to Arthur.

A just honour for hard work and and long and selfless service.

At the General Meeting of Blind Sailing International held In Newport Rhode Island during the World regatta, Blind Sailing New Zealand was awarded the honour of organising the next World Blind Sailing Championships.

A professional bid supported by a glossy resume handout for each team and a slick DVD presentation convinced the meeting and by a unanimous vote accepted the bid.

The regatta will sailed on Lake Rotorua and will be hosted by The Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron. during March 2009. Sponsorship is already being sought and support from the Rotorua City Council Events Committee has already been obtained.

At the general meeting Blind Sailing member countries urged Blind Sailing International to progress towards full participation in Paralympic competition as a sport in its own right. Following ambitions set in the chairman's opening address in 1992, and on the formation of the movement the members feel that they have waited long enough for recognition of the sport of Blind Sailing rather than be part of disabled sailing crews.

Blind Sailing International have appointed Toby Davey of Great Britain as liason to IFDS and have charged the responsibility of the area reps to move the cause forward by preparing a submissionto IFDS to support the cause.

At the 2006 IFDS World Blind Sailing Championships IFDS representatives acknowledged that there was a viable organisation and a group of sailors that proved to be much more capable that their earlier perceptions. The group considered that waiting since 1992 has been long enough and would like to move forward.