Clinic Day at The Clagett

Newport, RI (June 23, 2016) – Twenty two sailors from Canada, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, along with US sailors from Florida, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Connecticut took to the water off Newport for the clinic day at 14th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta.

Working with Clagett Head Coach Betsy Alison (Newport, RI), coaches Nancy Haberland (Annapolis, MD), and Brian Todd (Nova Scotia, Canada), conducted a theory session on the shore before taking the 15 2.4mR sailors and the two Sonar’s out on the water for the afternoon.

During The Clagett, sailors will be able to work with the coaches, putting the skills and knowledge they have learned during the clinic to use over the three days of competition.

“I’ve attended at least 10 Clagett regattas and this is a must do event each year for me. I started out at The Clagett in the Sonar and moved over to the 2.4mR class after a couple of years, I always enjoy sailing at The Clagett”, remarked Clagett 2.4mR sailor Charlie Rosenfield (Woodstock, CT).

Principal Race Officer (PRO) Tom Duggan (East Sandwich, MA) will be leading the race management team this year and in September will be heading to Rio for the Paralympics as the PRO for Paralympic sailing.

“It’s wonderful to see so many people back again for the 14th Clagett. We have many people to thank for all their support of The Clagett, our sponsors, volunteers, local businesses and local yacht clubs all who continue each year to help The Clagett achieve our mission 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”. We have a number of initiatives in place this year including helmets for use by the sailors,” commented Clagett co-founder and President, Judy McLennan.

Racing at the 14th Clagett starts tomorrow with a forecast of a sunny day with a high near 74 and a North wind around eight knots becoming Southeast in the afternoon.

The 2016 Clagett is being held at Sail Newport, located in Fort Adams State Park, Newport RI, June 23-26.

Event details: www.clagettregatta.org

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.

Report by Sam Crichton.