The International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) and International Sailing Federation (ISAF) have both unanimously agreed to merge as the 2013 ISAF Annual Conference drew to a close in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Australia is one of the top nations on the Paralympic sailing scene and as past International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Vice President and current President of Sailability Victoria, David Staley, explains, a strong focus of Paralympic sailors leading to Rio will be on the ISAF Sailing World Cup - Melbourne (Sail Melbourne) over the next three years.

Researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute announced today the results of a pilot study demonstrating use of a virtual therapeutic sailing simulator as an important part of rehabilitation following a spinal cord injury (SCI). Auckland's Spinal Rehabilitation Unit based sailing simulator programme led by Sailability Auckland's Brendan Toruelle played a key role in gathering data, conducting the same measures and sharing data with the research team.

Yachting New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of a new NZ National Classifier for sailing – Helen McKenzie. After attending the IFDS Classification Seminar in August 2013, Helen was awarded this designation which enables her to give a national classification to sailors with physical disabilities sailing in Paralympic class boats.

It was light and shifty again in Oman for the penultimate day of the 2013 Laser World Championships where kiwi campaigners Sam Meech, Andy Maloney and Thomas Saunders are all fighting it out in the gold fleet.

On 9- 10 November 2013 a keen group of first time sailors descended on Mount Pleasant Yacht Club for two days of sailing. Supported by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation and Yachting New Zealand, 15 physically disabled people took their turn using an adaptive Hansa 2.3 dinghy on loan from Otago Yacht Club. In Otago, this boat enables an inclusive sailing programme also organized

After solid wind through the opening half of the 2013 Laser World Championships in Oman, day four provided sailors a new challenge with light and very shifty conditions at Mussanah Beach.

Seven individuals have been honoured with Yachting New Zealand Life Membership in 2013. The recognition will be celebrated at the 2013 Yachting Excellence Awards gala dinner on Friday November 29th at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

This year seven Youth Performance Awards will be presented at the 2013 Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards recognising sailing achievements since September 1st 2012. Sailors in this category must be under the age of 21 years on December 31 this year.

The 2013 Laser World Championships is proving to be an almighty battle as day three concludes and the six day regatta reaches the half way point in Muscat, Oman.