John McRoberts Bronze Medal – 2023 Sailing World Championships

John McRoberts of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and Scott Lutes (Mahone Bay, N.S. – LYC) won a bronze medal in the RS Venture Connect parasailing class today at the 2023 Sailing World Championships held until Sunday in The Hague, Netherlands.

 

It was the first time in history that para sailing events were held at the Sailing World Championships, a competition held every four years since 2003 by World Sailing. In the Hague, more than 70 para sailors took part in the competition, where four events were held, including the RS Venture Connect, 2.4 Norlin OD, as well as the Men’s and Women’s Hansa 303 classes.

 

“It’s a good result, but I still find it a little disappointing,” said John McRoberts, a two-time Paralympic Games medalist. “We just couldn’t get our groove today. I have no idea why: the boat was fine, Scott did a great job. We just kept getting bounced. It wasn’t a great day on the water for us.”

 

“It took us a little while to get going and keep our groove,” added Scott Lutes, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Paralympic Games. “I understand John’s feeling: the last thing you remember is the last race. When it’s not shining after you’ve been shining in the previous day, it’s a little tougher to take.”

 

“But I think that overall, we sailed some great races and I think John underestimates himself a bit in that regard, and he can hold his head high from the way we sailed overall this week,” added Scott Lutes with a smile.

 

Congratulations John & Scott!