NEWPORT, R.I. (June 28, 2024) – The docks are the Alofsin Pier at Fort Adams State Park in Newport are full to the brim with the boats of the 32 sailors with disabilities from across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico who are in Newport for the 22nd C. Thomas Clagett Memorial Clinic and Regatta presented by Clagett Sailing.
Two days of the coaching clinic have been led by Para Sailing World Champion gold medalist Betsy Alison who is joined again this year by former Canadian Paralympic coach Brian Todd and Nancy Haberland from Maryland.
The 2.4mR fleet who have been working with Todd and Haberland and the Martin 16 fleet with Alison on Narragansett Bay have made the most of the conditions for the last two days and the sailors are eager to put their newly acquired knowledge into action on the water over the next three days of racing.
Returning to defend his title for the C. Thomas Clagett Jr Trophy is Julio Reguero from Puerto Rico. Reguero, who is a recipient of the Clagett Boat Grant program and is racing in the 2.4mR class, has taken home the C. Thomas Clagett Jr Trophy for the last two years and will be aiming for a hat trick this year.
Racing for the first time with the Clagett 2.4mR class is Chuck Allen from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Allen, who is the most recent recipient of a boat from the Clagett Boat Grant program, is a familiar face in sailing circles working with the Newport North Sails loft for the last 25 years.
In the Martin 16 class Chicago sailor Gary Pierce has teamed up again with local Newport sailor Jeff Long to defend their 2023 title against a strong Martin 16 fleet, which includes the 2023 U.S. Para Sailing Champions team of Tim Brown from East Boston, Massachusetts and Sarah Everhart Skeels from Little Compton, Rhode Island.
“It’s fantastic to see so many familiar faces back with us in our 22nd year as well as new sailors who have joined the fleet in Newport this year including the latest Boat Grant Program recipient Chuck Allen. I hope everyone takes home new skills and renewed friendships this year,” commented Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Stephanie McLennan.
For a complete list of entries for the 22nd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and more information about Clagett Sailing please visit: www.clagettsailing.org and follow on Instagram @clagett_sailing and Facebook @ClagettSailing for updates
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 would like to thank the following 2024 sponsors – Fiduciary Trust International at the Platinum level; XPT Group at the Gold level;
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Categories: Press Release News Clagett Regatta Newport
