Inclusion World Championships in Rostock: Showcase for the Paralympics comeback

The Rostock hosts have chosen their city harbour as the stage for the World Cup summit. "It's nice, will certainly be exciting and fun, even if it can be tricky," says Heiko Kröger. He continues: "We are happy to show at the Inclusion World Championships with sailors from many countries that we are fighting for our comeback at the Paralympics for good reasons. Sailing belongs back on the Paralympic programme!"

The World Sailing Association, supporters and athletes have set the course for this with a strong bid that has already been submitted. Heiko Kröger, Paralympics winner in 2000, attests: "World Sailing has really done a tremendous job." Over the next few days, the teams in the harbour and university city of Rostock want to put para- and inclusive sailing in the spotlight. Athletes with and without disabilities will be competing for medals and top placings at the Inclusion World Championships.

Sea sailor Lennart Burke competes with para-swimmer Katherina Rösler

The participants come from Austria, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Thailand and Germany. The idea for the SV/14 boat class dates back to 2015. The 4.39 metre-long boats are sailed by the crew in bucket seats with electric tilt technology. "I trained every day on my bike, so I'm well prepared for steering," says Heiko Kröger with a twinkle in his eye. The teams are made up of a combination of sailors with and without disabilities. It is the ideal line-up for inclusive sailing. This also applies to sea sailor, mini-transat conqueror and Class 40 newcomer Lennart Burke. He is competing in the Inclusive World Championships with para-swimmer Katherina Rösler and some ambition.

"Anyone can sail. Regardless of the physical limitations we experience on land. By putting the teams together in this way, we are emphasising that sailing is one of the most inclusive sports in the world," explains Heiko Kröger. The winner of the first Inclusive Sailing World Championships in 2020 wants to fight for the title with Clemens Kraus. "The chances are there, but there are also a few other good ones at the start," says the 56-year-old from Ammersbek. Among others, he points to HSC helmswoman Silke Basedow and her outstanding skills. Kröger himself was born without a left forearm. He will be competing with Kraus again, aiming to conquer the World Championship podium once more after winning silver last year.

Heiko Kröger: "You can achieve much, much more on the water"

"Many of us win open regattas against non-disabled athletes - that's sailing, and that's why this sport is so unique in the world of para-sport," explains Kröger, who as a member of the World Sailing Athletes' Commission takes every opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of para-sailing. His assessment: "The message that we are conveying to all spectators at this year's World Championship in Rostock is also the central message of the World Sailing bid for the reinstatement of sailing in the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. No matter what physical limitations you have on land, you can achieve much, much more on the water. That's why we see such a wide range of disabilities in sailing."

The Inclusive Sailing World Championships are supported by Germany at state level. Stefanie Drese is the patron of the event. The Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Sport of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern says: "Top events like this set an example for inclusion in sport and in society. They are a figurehead for Rostock and the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. I am therefore proud that Rostock, with its excellence in sailing, has been chosen as the venue for this top sporting event." The Minister's appeal: "I hope that the Inclusive Sailing World Championships will give many clubs in the state the impetus to offer sports programmes for people with disabilities."

Event manager Sven Jürgensen: "We will draw attention to the #BacktheBid campaign"

The World Inclusive Sailing Championships will be broadcast live for spectators on the banks of the Warnow estuary and commented on by experts. The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Association for Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports (VBRS) will also be organising a taster sailing event for children with disabilities alongside the championship. "Inclusive sport is something special and hugely important for developing a real sense of community in our urban society," said Dr Chris von Wrycz Rekowski. The First Deputy Mayor of the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock said: "We all need to sharpen our awareness of people with disabilities in order to actually enable social participation - this event is a good opportunity to do so."

For the third time, event manager, sailing photographer and Helga Cup father Sven Jürgensen has brought together a team of like-minded sailing experts for the World Championship. He says: "The event has grown every year. In 2022, we have athletes from five European countries and two teams representing Asia and South America. This is proof that para-sailing is growing worldwide. We are using this momentum to get more people of all ages and with all types of disabilities on the water. We will also be raising awareness of World Sailing's #BacktheBid campaign at this championship, which is campaigning for the reinstatement of sailing in the Paralympic Games for LA28."

Click here for the World Sailing Video plea for the Paralympic comeback. And this is where many of the most famous sailors of the planet from the SailGP for the comeback.

Sven Jürgensen: "It's a pure pop-up event. All we need is water"

Sven Jürgensen also says: "Of all the sports currently on the Paralympic programme, sailing is the most definitive when it comes to representing people with a variety of disabilities. Our championship in Rostock is also a perfect example of how easy sailing is to organise: it's a pure pop-up event. All we need is water!" Click here from 25 August for the Results.

The Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) has already organised the World Inclusive Sailing Championships twice in its home waters on the Outer Alster in Hamburg: in 2020 and 2021. The NRV is now joining forces with the Rostock Sailing Association and the Rostock Regatta Club, supported by DSV President and patron Mona Küppers. Other partners for this event are the MV State Sports Association, the VBRS, the MV Sailing Association, Wir sind Wir - Inklusion im Segeln and the Heinz Kettler Foundation.