NEWPORT, R.I. (June 5, 2014) – Racing at the 12th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta gets underway in a week with 20 2.4mR's, three SKUD 18's and seven Sonar's registered to take part. The high number of entries is an indication of the popularity of this event on the summer calendar for disabled sailing in North America.
Sailors representing Canada, the US Virgin Islands and across the USA from Florida to California and Illinois will all be traveling to Newport RI for the four day event. The clinic portion of the event takes place on June 12 and is followed by three days of racing on Narragansett Bay, on June 13 through 15.
Steve Hammer from Riverview, Florida had never sailed competitively before he took part in the Wounded Warrior sailing camp in St Petersburg, Florida earlier this year. Hammer, a veteran of the US military, attended the USSOCOM camp which was run by Clagett head coach and US Sailing Paralympic coach Betsy Alison (Newport, RI) who along with US Sailing Paralympian and medalist Jen French (St Petersburg, FL) conducted the sailing course for Wounded Warriors through the Military Adaptive Sports Program.
" I found out about the camp from the SOCOM - Special Operations Command's Care Coalition. Sailing competitively was amazing and made me feel empowered. Without the camp I would not have entered the Clagett regatta, the camp coach Betsy Alison gave me the regatta information and she recommended the 2.4 mR boat, which I have never sailed", remarked Hammer prior to heading to Newport for his first Clagett regatta.
He continued, " I just want to get active again and really enjoy the competition. The camp was really amazing, it was very intense, which is good as military members excel in intense situations. If I was to qualify for the disabled sailing program I would love to represent our country in sailing".
Hammer will sail the 2.4mR at the Clagett and will get to experience all that the Clagett offers with the clinic, being coached by world class coaches with top level race management and racing on the world renowned waters of Newport RI. Coaches at the Clagett are available to competitors for the entire four days and work with sailors both on and off the water to improve skills and provide advice on racing and sailing skills and techniques. Alison has been involved with the Clagett since it began and has assembled a top level coaching line up again for 2014.
"To be able to bring a Wounded Warrior sailing camp participant to the Clagett and help them to benefit from all that Clagett has to offer is a honor", commented Alison.
Competitors and boats taking part in the Clagett will be hosted by Sail Newport at the Alofsin Pier at Fort Adams State Park in Newport RI.
Categories: Press Release News Clagett Regatta Newport
