Disability classification in sailing

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Disability sailing classification is the method of allowing sailors with different disabilities to compete, with classification being based on vision, mobility, stability and hand function. Classification is handled by the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS).

Contents

Definition

Disability sailing is for people with physical disabilities and vision impairments. [1] [2] Classification is based on vision, mobility, stability and hand function. [3]

Governance

The sport is governed and classification handled by the International Federation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS). [1] [3] [4] [5] The US Disabled Sailing Team is in charge of classification in the United States. [1] Sailing for people with intellectual disabilities is governed by the Special Olympics. [1]

Eligibility

As of 2012, people with visual and physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport. [6]

Sports

Sailors with physical disabilities may compete on the same team as people with vision impairment. [2] Competitions are also mixed genders. [3]

Process

During the classification process, a sailor needs to wear any prosthesis or special equipment they expect to use during competition. [7] For Australian competitors in this sport, the sport and classification is managed the national sport federation with support from the Australian Paralympic Committee. [8] There are three types of classification available for Australian competitors: Provisional, national and international. The first is for club level competitions, the second for state and national competitions, and the third for international competitions. [9]

At the Paralympic Games

At the 1992 Summer Paralympics, all disability types were eligible to participate, with classification being run through an independent classifier. [10] At the 2000 Summer Paralympics, 11 assessments were conducted at the Games. This resulted in 4 class changes. [11]

For the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. [12] In case there was a need for classification or reclassification at the Games despite best efforts otherwise, sailing classification was scheduled for September 9, while it was scheduled for September 4 to 6 for visually impaired sailors at Marina da Gloria. For sportspeople with physical or intellectual disabilities going through classification or reclassification in Rio, their in competition observation event is their first appearance in competition at the Games. [12]

Future

Going forward, disability sport's major classification body, the International Paralympic Committee, is working on improving classification to be more of an evidence-based system as opposed to a performance-based system so as not to punish elite athletes whose performance makes them appear in a higher class alongside competitors who train less. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Paralympic Games</span> International multi-sport event for disabled athletes

The Summer Paralympics, also known as the Games of the Paralympiad, are an international multi-sport event where athletes with physical disabilities compete. This includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy. The Paralympic Games are held every four years, organized by the International Paralympic Committee. Medals are awarded in every event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that the Olympic Games started in 1904.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B2 (classification)</span> Blindness sports classification

B2 is a medical based Paralympic classification for blind sport. Competitors in this classification have vision that falls between the B1 and B3 classes. The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) defines this classification as "visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) and/or visual field constricted to a diameter of less than 10 degrees." It is used by a number of blind sports including para-alpine skiing, para-Nordic skiing, blind cricket, blind golf, five-a-side football, goalball and judo. Some sports, including adaptive rowing, athletics and swimming, have equivalents to this class.

Para-cycling classification is the process of classifying participants in para-cycling covering four functional disability types. The classification system includes classes for handcycles for people who have lower limb mobility issues. The sport is governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Para-alpine skiing classification is the classification system for para-alpine skiing designed to ensure fair competition between alpine skiers with different types of disabilities. The classifications are grouped into three general disability types: standing, blind and sitting. Classification governance is handled by International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing. Prior to that, several sport governing bodies dealt with classification including the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD), International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMWSF), International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA). Some classification systems are governed by bodies other than International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing, such as the Special Olympics. The sport is open to all competitors with a visual or physical disability. It is not open to people with intellectual disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para-Nordic skiing classification</span> Disability sport classification system

Para-Nordic skiing classification is the classification system for para-Nordic skiing which includes the biathlon and cross-country events. The classifications for Para-Nordic skiing mirrors the classifications for Para-Alpine skiing with some exceptions. A functional mobility and medical classification is in use, with skiers being divided into three groups: standing skiers, sit skiers and visually impaired skiers. International classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee, Nordic Skiing (IPC-NS). Other classification is handled by national bodies. Before the IPC-NS took over classification, a number of organizations handled classification based on the type of disability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para-archery classification</span>

Para-archery classification is the classification system for para-archery used to create a level playing field for archers with a different range of disabilities. Governance in the sport is through the International Archery Federation. Early classification systems for the sport were created during the 1940s and based on medical classification. This has subsequently changed to a functional mobility classification with the exception of blind archery.

Goalball classification is the classification system for goalball. Goalball players with a disability are classified into different categories based on their vision based disability type. The classification is handled by the International Blind Sports Association.

Paralympic powerlifting classification is the system designed for disability based powerlifting to ensure that there is level competition across a range of disabilities. Categories are broken down based on weight. The sport's classification is governed by International Paralympic Committee Powerlifting. People with physical disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport.

Paralympic Shooting classification is the shooting classification in place for the Paralympic Games to help establish fair competition. Classification is governed by the International Paralympic Committee's IPC Shooting. While there are currently three classifications, there were originally five in international competitions. People with physical disabilities as defined by the International Paralympic Committee are eligible to compete.

Disability table tennis classification is the disability sport classification process for para table tennis that is governed by the International Table Tennis Federation. The sport's classifications are open to people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Para-equestrian classification is a system for para-equestrian sport. It is a graded system based on the degree of physical or visual disability and handled at the international level by the FEI. The sport has eligible classifications for people with physical and vision disabilities. Groups of eligible riders include The sport is open to competitors with impaired muscle power, athetosis, impaired passive range of movement, hypertonia, limb deficiency, ataxia, leg length difference, short stature, and vision impairment. They are grouped into five different classes to allow fair competition. These classes are Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, Grade IV, and Grade V(Grade Names Changed as of Jan 2017). The para-equestrian classification does not consider the gender of the rider, as equestrines compete in mixed gender competitions.

Adaptive rowing classification is the classification system used for adaptive rowing. It is based on functional ability and is broken down into three specific classifications. This system is governed by Federation Internationale de Societes d'Aviron. Eligible competitors have a physical or visual disability.

Sitting volleyball classification is the classification system for sitting volleyball. Only people with lower leg paralysis or lower leg extremity amputations are eligible to compete. The sport is governed by World Paravolley formerly known as World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD).

Disability judo classification is the medical classification system for disability judo. Judokas with a disability are classified into different categories based on their disability type. The classification is handled by the Blind Sports Association.

Boccia classification is the classification system governing boccia, a sport designed specifically for people with disabilities. Classification is handled by Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association. There are four classifications for this sport. All four classes are eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games.

Football 7-a-side classification is the classification system governing Football 7-a-side. The classifications are governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA).

Football 5-a-side classification is the classification system governing Football 5-a-side. Football players with a disability are classified into different categories based on their disability type. The classification is handled by the International Blind Sports Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability classification in lawn bowls</span> Disability sport classification system

Bowls classification is the classification system for lawn bowls where players with a disability are classified into different categories based on their disability type. Classifications exist for blind bowlers. Bowls was played at the Paralympics and is a core sport of Commonwealth Games.

Disability racquetball classification is the medical based classification system developed to allow fair competition between racquetball players with different disability types and against able-bodied competitors. Internationally and in Canada, this classification system only allows only wheelchair users to be eligible to compete. In contrast, the United States classification system covers wheelchair users and people with vision impairments, with different classes inside these disability types.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Para-equestrian</span> Type of disability sport

Para-equestrian is an equestrian sport governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and includes two competitive events. One is para-equestrian dressage, which is conducted under the same basic rules as conventional dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their functional abilities. The other is para-equestrian driving, which operates under the same basic rules as combined driving but places competitors in various grades based on their functional abilities.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Joseph P. Winnick (27 October 2010). Adapted Physical Education and Sport. Human Kinetics. p. 496. ISBN   978-0-7360-8918-0 . Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 Ian Brittain (4 August 2009). The Paralympic Games Explained. Taylor & Francis. pp. 97–98. ISBN   978-0-415-47658-4 . Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Michael Hutson; Cathy Speed (17 March 2011). Sports Injuries. Oxford University Press. p. 444. ISBN   978-0-19-953390-9 . Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Ian Brittain (4 August 2009). The Paralympic Games Explained. Taylor & Francis. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-415-47658-4 . Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Ian Brittain (4 August 2009). The Paralympic Games Explained. Taylor & Francis. pp. X. ISBN   978-0-415-47658-4 . Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Layman's Guide to Paralympic Classification" (PDF). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Michael Hutson; Cathy Speed (17 March 2011). Sports Injuries. Oxford University Press. p. 445. ISBN   978-0-19-953390-9 . Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Summer Sports". Homebush Bay, New South Wales: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "What is Classification?". Sydney, Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  10. ↑ DePauw, Karen P; Gavron, Susan J (1995). Disability and sport . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. p.  128. ISBN   0873228480. OCLC   31710003.
  11. ↑ Cashman, Richard I; Darcy, Simon; University of Technology, Sydney. Australian Centre for Olympic Studies (2008). Benchmark games : the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Petersham, N.S.W.: Walla Walla Press in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Olympic Studies University of Technology, Sydney. p. 152.
  12. 1 2 "Rio 2016 Classification Guide" (PDF). International Paralympic Committee. March 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Classification History". Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
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