Four teams will compete in the Blind Match Racing World Championship in Sheboygan Sept. 19-25, raising awareness of adaptive sailing and bringing the action of competitive sailing to a one-of-a-kind dual event — they’ll sail at the same time as the Women’s Match Racing World Championships.
The teams, from the United States, Canada and Israel, are experienced sailors who have dedicated themselves to the sport and to the cause of blind sailing.
USA – Mark Bos, BJ Blahnik, Matthew Chao
I am a 51-year-old with two awesome sons and a wonderfully supportive circle of family and friends. These people are the ones who helped me achieve my successes. I lost my vision in a motorcycle accident in which I incurred several other life-changing injuries. After a couple of intense learning years, I developed the ability to turn these life-changing losses into life-changing gains and to adapt to whatever life presented me in a positive way. One of the most positive endeavors that I have participated in is competitive sailing. Team USA 2 has had the opportunity to sail in many regattas, which include but are not limited to: the 2009 blind fleet race World Cup championship in New Zealand, (bronze medal; B3 div.) the blind fleet race national, (3 regattas with 2 Bronze Metals,) the California invitational 2010, (2nd place) the Robbie Pierce regatta and other Sail Blind and non-disabled regattas.
Canada – David Brown, Brian Arther, Laura Cammidge
David Brown has been sailing for over 17 years along with an experienced crew, which has sailed together the past four years. In 2015 the team placed second in the Blind Match World Championship and third in 2014. David began his adventures in blind sports, with a group of friends, with alpine skiing before he found a passion for sailing. Laura Cammidge started sailing at a young age and participated in different water sports but found a love for sailing. She sails with blind and sighted crews hoping to be a more competitive sailor. Brian Arther learned to sail from his father and is a bronze medalist in the Paralymipcs for swimming the 400m.
Israel – Elad Rosenzvieg, Zohar Halevi, Yaniv Elimelech
Elad Rosenzvieg and crew are experienced in racing Sonars. Elad has won several Israeli Championships against non-blind sailors. This team took fourth in the National Championship in La Spezia, Italy, as part of the Homerus project. They have been training hard the last few months and are ready for the World Sailing Blind Match Racing Championship and can’t wait to enter the Lake Mighican water.
Great Britain – Lucy Hodges, Liam Cattermole, Vicki Sheen
Skipper Vicki Sheen: I started blind sailing at a young age thanks to RYA Sailability. Since that day I never looked back. I never thought sailing would be an option being born with photophobia nystagmus. Currently I am proud to say I am with the team World Blind Fleet Racing Champion 2015, winning B2 silver. I am also the current World B2 champion at Blind Match Racing and am looking forward to being back in Sheboygan to defend the title. Alongside racing, I organize GBR Blind Sailing, all the training, funding, and sighted support, which I am truly thankful for and we would not be where we are today with out them.
USA – Walter Raineri, Kris Scheppe, Scott Ford
USA 1 will be representing the United States of America in the 2016 Blind Match Racing World Championships on many levels. Geographically, we hail from all corners of the USA with coach Guy Mossman (sighted) hailing from Charleston, SC, Kris Scheppe (blind category B3 and jib trimmer) hailing from Naples, FL, Walt Raineri (blind category B1 and skipper) hailing from San Francisco, CA, and Scott Ford (blind category B1 and main trimmer) hailing from Traverse City, MI. Guy joins the team from Warrior Sailing, Kris is the America’s representative to Blind Sailing International and runs Blind Sailing Unlimited in the USA, Walt joins the team from the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors, and Scott joins the team from Warrior Sailing. From most perspectives (sailing experience, age, background, and interest in the famous Sheboygan double brat with beer chaser), Team USA 1 is all over the spectrum, but each team member has joined together to form a bond to help each other pursue their passions for sailing and the beneficial effects it can have for all of them for their separate life journeys.
