Supporting sailors with adaptive needs

Disabled sailors from across North America, afar a field as St. Paul, Alberta to Fresno, California, participated in the 17th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta held June 19-23 in Newport, RI. The schedule included two days of coaching clinic and three days of racing in 2.4mR, Martin 16 and Sonar classes.

Carwile LeRoy (Fresno, Cali.), representing the BAADS (Bay Area Assoc. of Disabled Sailing) program from San Francisco, dominated the five boat Martin 16 class, leading from start to finish over the three days of racing. For the nine races that were conducted LeRoy won six, after an eight year hiatus from racing on the Martin 16s,

Sonar sailors enjoyed some healthy competition between the four teams racing, with a 10 race series determining the winning team of Rick Doerr (Clifton, N.J.), Dawn Hart (Tampa, Fla.) and Charles McClure (Brookline, Mass.). Doerr, who last raced with Hart at the 2018 Clagett, will line up against her as a fellow skipper at the Sonar National Championships in Chicago.

For the eight Canadian sailors and three US sailors racing in the 2.4mR class 10-race series, eventual winner Peter Eager (Toronto, Ont. CAN), has been to five Clagett Regattas in the 2.4mR class. Eager was also awarded the Clagett Memorial Trophy for overall general excellence.

Event details – Results – Facebook

About the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta:
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.

The Clagett’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”. Tom Clagett’s motto was “Reach for Success”, which resonates with every Clagett participant. Clagett competitors have seen medal success at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. Competitors often comment that, The Clagett, has improved their quality of life as they apply what is achieved on the water to everyday situations.

Source: Sam Crichton