Sonar Team USA 1 fuses more than six decades of racing experience in their 2016 Paralympic Campaign.
All told they've competed in ten countries, numerous open and disabled world championships, world cup events, and one paralympic games.
Rick Doerr - Skipper
Clifton, NJ
Brad Kendell - Main Trimmer
Tampa, FL
Hugh Freund - Jib Trimmer
South Freeport, ME
PARA WORLD CHAMPIONS
RIO
Host of the 2016 Paralympic Games
Opening to sailors from around the world on September 7, 2016, the sailing venue in Rio de Janeiro is set against the dramatic backdrop of Sugarloaf mountain in Guanabara Bay. This will be the first summer games ever held in South America and possibly the last summer games to feature Paralympic Sailing.
Team USA 1 is vying to represent the United States in Rio at what may be the last sailing event to be held in a Paralympic Games until 2024.
The Sonar
A 23’ keelboat ideally seated for Paralympic sport because of her stability and generous cockpit.
In Paralympic competition the Sonar is sailed as a sloop rig with no spinnaker. Instead teams remain inside the cockpit and use a whisker pole to ‘wing’ the jib downwind. First selected as a demonstration sport for the Atlanta games in 1996, sailing became a full-fledged Paralympic sport in 2000 at Sydney. Since that time Paralympic sailing has progressed to be an elite internationally competitive sport. Because of the growing number of Sonars in the world as well as the boats aptness to be sailed by any ability crew, many disabled sailors are competing in open events.
Essential Preparation
We train in Florida during the winter and in New England during the summer, chasing the best wind and warm temperatures. There are non-Paralympic Sonar events from May to October in the United States, but in order to face our toughest competition we need to sail in to the European circuit. Europe has more teams, more events, and will best replicate the competitive environment we can expect at the Paralympics.With full time jobs and limited financial resources, sometimes the hardest part of an event is simply figuring out how to get there.
To be ready for Rio, we must sail as many days as possible.
GET INVOLVED
Donations kept our campaign running. Through the Windmark Sailing Foundation we received your tax-deductible cash donation that helped offset our campaign costs including purchasing new sails, transporting and maintaining the boat, covering meals on the road, and securing housing for events. Thank you to all of the individuals, clubs, organizations, and businesses that supported Team USA One!
