Paralympic Sailing continues to grow with the introduction of a new strict one design class, the SKUD-18.

The SKUD-18 a (two-person keelboat) will join the 2.4mR (one-person keelboat) and the Sonar (three-person keelboat) on the waters of Qingdao, at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

The SKUD-18 is both a modern and innovative dinghy. The result of collaboration between B & B Technology and Innovation - Julian Bethwaite/Bethwaite Design in Australia and Argentinian naval architect, Martin Billoch, along with Access Dinghy's Chris Mitchell.

Sailed by two disabled crew (one will be classified with an IFDS International Classification 1) with at least one female on board, the boat will be an exciting addition to World and Paralympic competiton.

Julian Bethwaite, who also designed the Olympic class 49er skiff explained, 'The design evolved to be a 5.8m LAS (Lead Assisted Skiff), capable of carrying weight whilst maintaining a high level of performance and control, keeping the cost down and incorporating a range of interesting features that should allow easy stacking/containerisation, simple maintenance and general ease of use. The boat will be a challenge for able-bodied and disabled sailors alike. This boat has been designed from a performance basis, to offer scintillating, crisp and snappy response to sailors regardless of their ability/mobility.'

Mitchell, designer of Access Dinghies continued, 'The SKUD18 is very versatile and can be handled by a variety of crew configurations. The helmsman can transfer manually and be steering with tillers, or be in a fixed seat on the centreline using a manual joystick, push/pull rods, or a servo assist joystick with full control of all functions. The forward crew can either be on the centreline, transferring manually, or using a swinging seat. Or both crew could be mobile - even riding trapeze. As its name says, the UD-18 is of Universal Design and can be sailed by all levels of physical ability.'

Sailed by two disabled crew (one will be classified with an IFDS International Classification 1) with at least one female on board, the boat will be an exciting addition to World and Paralympic competition.

Olympic Manager, Stephen Park. Now that the SKUD-18 is confirmed, Skandia Team GBR look forward to the challenge of learning about this new craft which certainly looks set to excite the Paralympic sailing world. We have three boats on order, as allocated by ISAF, and are anticipating their arrival in May.

Skandia Team GBR Sonar coach Mark Rushall commented, Although sailors and coaches were disappointed that there was no SKUD-18 on show at the IFDS worlds, designer Julian Bethwaite was there to talk about the boat and production plans. There was a full house for his presentation proving that there is plenty of interest both worldwide and in the UK. With just 30 boats in the first production batch there will be competition to get hold of a boat early. There is certainly enough depth in the GB Paralympic scene to field a competitive team in the new class, but the big question is: what level of disability will be required in competition. IFDS appear to have several conflicting objectives for widening participation at the Paralympic games and time is running out to build a truly professional campaign with a new class and a new team for Beijing 2008. At least we have the infrastucture to give any SKUD-18 GBR team the best possible chance to achieve a result in China.

For more information on the design of the SKUD-18 visit www.bethwaite.com.