Y-Knot is recipient of Clagett Boat Grant Program

Newport, RI (June 10, 2016) – The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta announced that the first recipient of the Clagett Boat Grant Program is the Y-Knot program from Lake George, NY. The Y-Knot program works with the YMCA Camp Chingachgook in the Lake George area of New York state and will be receiving the first boat, a Sonar, from the Clagett Boat Grant program. The Clagett Boat Grant Program, which was established in 2015, aims to increase participation in the sport of adaptive sailing by providing boats to individuals or community sailing programs who will then take part in adaptive sailing regattas and clinics.

Clagett President and co-founder Judy McLennan (Portsmouth, RI) commented, “We are very pleased to announce that the Y-Knot program will be the first recipient of the Clagett Boat Grant Program boat which will be a Sonar. We look forward to seeing Y-Knot sailors at future Clagett regattas as well as other adaptive sailing regattas. As we look forward to holding the 14th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, in two weeks time, I am reminded of my father, Tom Clagett’s words, “Reach for Success”. The Clagett Boat Grant Program helps us provide the opportunity for the sailors to do just that.”

“The sailors and volunteers of Y-Knot Sailing are truly honored that we have been chosen as the first recipient of the Clagett Boat Grant program. Y-Knot has provided sailing opportunities to people with disabilities for 20 years, and we’re excited to begin this new chapter with the Clagett Regatta as we introduce our sailors to the Sonar, a Paralympic class boat for the Rio Paralympic Games in September. We look forward to training the Y- Knot sailors in the Sonar and we’re making plans to participate in Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race event in Oyster Bay, NY,” commented Spencer Raggio (Malta, NY) Y-Knot Sailing program chair.

Clagett sailors are preparing for the 14th annual Clagett clinic and regatta which will be held at Sail Newport, located in Fort Adams State Park, Newport RI, June 23-26.

For more information about The Clagett visit : www.clagettregatta.org or follow The Clagett on Facebook or Instagram.

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.

The event includes all three boats that have been chosen as the equipment of the Paralympic classes: the three-person Sonar, the two-person SKUD-18 and the singlehanded 2.4 Metre. Clagett competitors have seen medal success at the 2008 and 2012 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