Sailing: Three Kiwi crews qualify for Rio Paralympics

Kiwi Gold Sailing para-sailing members Rick Dodson (left), Andrew May (centre) and Craig Sharp (right). Photo / Nick Reed

The Kiwi Gold Sailing combination of Rick Dodson, Chris Sharp and Andrew May were among three New Zealand crews to qualify for next year's Rio Paralympics.

The trio were the best placed of the New Zealand crews at the 2015 Para World Sailing Championships in Melbourne, finishing eighth overall in the 18-strong Sonar class to qualify the boat. The world championships was the last opportunity for nations to qualify boats for Rio.

Kiwi Gold Sailing secured four top-five finishes in the 11-race series and were only one point off seventh overall.

"Today we ticked the box to qualify the Sonar class for the Paralympics in Rio next year," said Dodson, who sailed in Team New Zealand's successful America's Cup campaigns in 1995 and 2000 before multiple sclerosis attacked his body. "We still require selection to compete in Rio by Yachting New Zealand and Paralympic NZ selectors.

"The team had a great regatta mixing it with legends of Paralympic sailing and feel chuffed we were capable of tussling it out amongst the best in the world.

"Everyone in front and around us has either won a world championship or Paralympic medal in the past. The Germans, who finished in 10th position, two places behind us won the silver at the Paralympics in London."

The crew will stay in Melbourne to compete in next week's ISAF World Cup regatta.

Tim Dempsey and Gemma Fletcher were the best placed of two New Zealand crews in the 17-boat SKUD18 fleet, finishing 12th overall. Paul Webber and Amanda Beaver were 15th.

Paul Francis, who competed at the 2012 London Paralympics, was 21st in the 2.4m single-handed class but did enough to be one of seven nations to qualify the boat for Rio.

The next goal for the sailors will be to convince the selectors they have met the Yachting New Zealand nomination criteria, by demonstrating they are capable of winning a Paralympics medal in Rio next year.

2015 Para World Sailing Championships
8th - Rick Dodson, Chris Sharp and Andrew May (Sonar)
12th - Tim Dempsey and Gemma Fletcher (Skud18)
15th - Paul Webber and Amanda Beaver (Skud18)
21st - Paul Francis (2.4m)