By Duncan Mackay

Kinsale general viewApril 5 - Ireland's Kinsale Yacht Club has today officially launched the International Federation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) World Championships, which are due to take place there this summer.


The club in County Cork, whose members include John Twomey, President of the IFDS, is expecting to welcome 120 sailors from 20 countries to the event, which is due to be held between August 22 and 30.

Three Paralympic classes are due to be held, the Sonar three person keelboat, the Scud 18 two person keelboat and the 2.4mR single person keelboat.

Teams from Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore and United States are expected to take part. 

Ireland's team could include Twomey, who made a record tenth consecutive appearance in the Paralympics at London 2012.

"I have received so much support from Kinsaleand the sailing community over my years of Paralympic competition," Twomey said.

"It gives me great pleasure to host this event as IFDS President in my home waters."

Kinsale is best known for being the place where many of the bodies and survivors of the RMS Lusitania were bought after it was sunk by a German U-boat in May 1915.

A memorial in the harbour commemorates the event.

RMS Lusitania memorial KinsaleA memorial in Kinsale Harbour commerates its role in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania

They were chosen to host the World Championships ahead of Perth and Qingdao, which hosted the sailing events during the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics. 

"Cork County Council is delighted to support this major international event in 2013," said Barbara Murray, the Mayor of County Cork.

"As part of Cork County Council IFDS Worlds, Kinsale is being marketed internationally as a major tourism and sailing centre of excellence and we look forward to welcoming all the sailors and support teams to a fantastic 10-day event in August."

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