NEWPORT, RI (February 10, 2013) - The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta organization's President, Judy McLennan (Portsmouth, RI), has announced that the board of directors has expanded to include new members Dan Davis (Saundertown, RI), Matthew Hill (Barrington, RI) and Ken Brockway (Portsmouth, RI). Also, Laura Leslie (Montreal, Quebec, CAN) has been appointed to the advisory committee for the clinic and regatta.
Open to both U.S. and foreign competitors, the clinic and regatta will take place in the three boats chosen as the equipment of the Paralympic Games: the three-person Sonar, the two-person SKUD-18 and the singlehanded 2.4mR. Three years ago, at the competitors' request, regatta organizers opened the 2.4mR class to allow able-bodied sailors to compete in The Clagett which doubled the number of entrants on the starting line. Starting with the 2012 event, the Sonar class also became open to able-bodied sailors. Having more boats on the line translates into tougher competition and offers the best possible training opportunity for Paralympic hopefuls.
Now in its 11th year, the Clagett Regatta provides sailors with disabilities the tools to improve their skills and the opportunity to test them in competition, which allows each individual to achieve their personal competitive goals. The event’s signature pre-race clinic (Thursday, June 27 ) is run by world-class and Olympic sailors who share their expertise boat handling, sail trim, racing theory and racing rules. The clinic is followed by a three-day regatta, Friday, June 28 through Sunday, June 30.