SAILABILITY
Sailability
Towards Para Asian
Games Update: Classification
Over the Valentine’s weekend, the Para Asian Sailability team
of 16 underwent a medical assessment by an international
classifier, Ms Sue Perry, who flew in especially from Singapore
to help assess whether the team members’ disability conditions
qualify them to enter the Para Asian Games this October.
According to Sue Perry, this can be somewhat complicated
as there is a cut-off point in the Classification grading system,
making some people with disabilities ineligible for sailing, even if
they are eligible for other Paralympic events. Unfortunately, two
sailors from the 16 proved to be ineligible for both the Access
303 & 2.4mR classes.
The two-day assessment on February 14 -15 served as a good
indicator of their eligibility but this was not final as each sailor has
to undergo a further assessment in Korea, just prior to the Games.
Hong Kong does not currently have an international classifier for
sailing, but a keen local physiotherapist (Ivy Mok) volunteered to
help that weekend. She was fascinated by the complexity and
58 Hebe jebes • MAY/Jun 2014
has indicated her interest in becoming one, so her name has
been sent to HKSF for consideration and potential training. We
may have our own international sailing classifier soon!
於情人節週末，「航能」專門從星加坡邀請國際分級專家Sue
Perry女士來港，替全部16位備戰殘亞的隊員作出身體狀況評
核，以估計隊員的身體傷殘狀況是否符合殘亞的要求。Perry
說，這項工作相當複雜，因分級制有不同的分界點，以致部分
可參與其他殘亞賽事的傷殘狀況，有機會不符合帆船項目的要
求。經過這次初步評估，有兩位隊員並不符合Access 303與
2.4mR兩個類別的參賽資格。
這次評估給予運動員一個指標，但在殘亞前，他們還要在南韓
通過最後評核才能決定是否可以出賽。香港現時並沒有帆船項
目的國際分級專家，但於評估那兩天，有一位熱心的物理治