Jen French Wins Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race

An inspirational group of 24 sailors and countless volunteers gathered July 15-17 to take part in the inaugural Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race for sailors with adaptive needs. Led by the always entertaining coach Dave Perry, eight Sonar teams dove head first into the world of match racing, many for the first time in their otherwise prolific careers.

Hosted by the Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, NY, silver medalist Jen French (St. Petersburg, FL) and crew Mike Hersey (Hyannis, MA) and Bryan Stuart (Boston, MA) remained undefeated to win the event. The team was representing the Warrior Sailing Program.

Close on her heels was Julio Reguero (San Juan, Puerto Rico) who raced with his son, Andre, and finished just one point behind French. In third was Charlie Rosenfield (Woodstock, CT) racing with fellow 2.4 mR sailor Tim Ripley (Randolph, NJ) as well as last minute addition, Betsy Perry (Southport, CT).

Despite challenging conditions with shifty winds ranging from 0-5 knots and temperatures approaching the triple digits, the energetic group refused to let the sun get the best of them. Providing on-the-water support throughout the weekend was a remarkable team of volunteers from the SailAhead and Warrior Sailing Program.

At the awards ceremony, winning skipper Jen French presented Coach Dave Perry with a yellow Warrior Sailing Program hat as a token of appreciation for his efforts on and off the water. “He’s a phenomenal coach,” remarked Tim Ripley. “The way he keeps things organized on the water is amazing. He’s very skilled at herding cats.”

Final results:
1 – Jen French, (St. Petersburg, FL); Brian Stuart and Mike Hersey
2 – Julio Reguero, (San Juan, Puerto Rico); Andre Reguero and Addie Gilestra
3 – Charlie Rosenfield, (Woodstock, CT); Tim Ripley and Betsy Perry
4* – Sarah Everhart Skeels, (Tiverton, RI); Cindy Walker and Brenda Hopkins
4* – Andy Fisher, (Greenwich, CT); Melissa Fisher and Rowena Darvin-Varab
6 – Dan Evans, (St. Petersburg, FL); Jocelyn Evans and John Peil
7 – Pauline Dowell, (Charlestown, MA); Kay Van Valkenberg and Tracy Schmitt
8 – Dave Whalen, (Lake George, NY); Eric Rose and Spencer Raggio

* = unbreakable tie

For more information about The Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race: http://conta.cc/1YWiWgk

About The Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race: Founded in 2016, The Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race event is a match racing event open to both adaptive and able-bodied sailors from the USA and International. At least one person on the boat should identify as having a disability. The Clagett, whose motto is “Reach for Success”, and 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,” has joined with Oakcliff Sailing, a non-profit coaching and training center for sailors who have progressed beyond traditional coaching methods. The event will be hosted by The Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, NY and supported by SailAhead and the Warrior Sailing Program.