NEWPORT, R.I. (June 22, 2023) – Two days of the coaching clinic has wrapped up at the21st C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and 2023 U.S. Para Sailing Championships.
20 sailors in the single handed 2.4mR class and 10 sailors in the double handed Martin 16 class have spent the last two days working with the coaching team of Betsy Alison, Dave Dellenbaugh, Nancy Haberland, and Brian Todd. Tomorrow it will be time for the sailors to put the newly acquired skills from the clinic into action while they race for the next three days.
2023 is the third time that the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has hosted the US Para Sailing Championships, previously hosting the championships in 2018 and 2021.
Back in Newport defending his 2022 title in the 2.4mR class is Julio Reguero (San Juan, Puerto Rico). Reguero was a member of the inaugural Team Clagett who competed at the 2022 2.4mR World Championships and he is a recipient of a 2.4mR boat through the Clagett Sailing Boat Grant Program.
“I’m glad to be back in Newport but I’m going to have to work hard to defend my title from last year. The competition is really tough this year,” said Regeuro who will be heading to Finland for the 2023 2.4mR World Championships being held July 31 to August 5.
Earlier in the day US Sailing CEO Alan Ostfield presented the US Sailing’s Presidents Award to Judy Clagett McLennan, for her 20 years of dedication and tireless efforts in providing opportunities to sailors with disabilities, who remarked as she accepted the award, “This isn’t my award it is your award.”
“After two days of clinic the sailors have shown marked improvement and are ready to race over the next three days. We look forward to exciting and close racing from the sailors,” said Betsy Alison.
This year’s championships will be raced in two fleets, both are adapted for sailors with disabilities.
Along with the Championship trophies, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Trophy, the Susan B Johnson - Sportsmanship Award, the Larry Gadsby - Most Improved Award, the Nick Scandone - Spirit Award and the Robie Pierce and Gene Hinkle - Seamanship Award will be presented to sailors taking part in the regatta.
For a complete list of entries competing at the 2023 Clagett Regatta and U.S. Para Sailing Championships, please visit: www.clagettsailing.org
About Clagett Sailing:
Founded in 2003, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta honors the late Tom Clagett (1916-2001), a U.S. Navy World War II veteran who learned to sail on Chesapeake Bay. As a youngster he suffered temporary paralysis as the result of a bout of meningitis; an experience that left him with a deep respect for the accomplishments of people with disabilities. Clagett Sailing’s stated mission is "to assist sailors in realizing their potential on the water by providing them both the knowledge and tools to improve their skills and the opportunity to use these skills in competition." The organization has adopted Tom Clagett's motto of "Reach for Success,” which resonates with every Clagett sailor. 2022 marked the 20th Anniversary of Clagett Newport. Clagett alumni sailors have earned medals at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. Along with reaching the 20th Anniversary milestone, the nonprofit organization while adhering to its original mission has evolved beyond its original single regatta format and has been rebranded “Clagett Sailing” to encompass the multiple programs it now offers to sailors with disabilities.
Clagett Sailing wouldlike to thank the following 2023 Sponsors – Fiduciary Trust International at the Platinum level; BCD at the Gold level and Innovative Construction Inc. at the Bronze level;
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org
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Categories: Press Release News Clagett Regatta Newport
