Skipper, Kylie Forth (blind and amputee) and the ‘Lost of See’ Blind sailing team of jib trimmer Erin McGlew (blind) and main trimmer Eric Seery (vision impaired) are now in Sciez, France to compete in the 2024 World Blind Match Racing Championships, being held from 22 – 29 June. They are being coached and supported by Adam Brenz-Verca.
Kylie and Erin have competed in 9 blind sailing regattas together, and with Eric being newer to sailing, he has been working hard to learn as much as possible in a very short amount of time. Eric’s involvement has meant that the team has been able to enter the championships and has also increased the number of blind sailors in WA.
Blind match-racing uses acoustic buoys and tack indicators on the boats, which enables blind competitors to sail completely independently. As there are so few blind sailors in the world and no other competitive blind sailors in Australia, the World Championships are the only opportunity the team has to compete against other sailors with vision impairments. Kylie recently mentioned that Blind match-racing is incredibly empowering and the only format of sailing which enables the ‘Lost of See’ crew to sail a race entirely on their own merit and skill.
We wish ‘Lost at See’ all the very best in the championships and look forward to hearing their insights about the event in the coming weeks.
Follow the event and results by visiting the Lost at See Lost At See Blind Sailing Team | Perth WA | Facebook page or go here:
