Plan in place for U.S. Para Championships

The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and US Sailing will partner to host the 2021 U.S. Para Sailing Championships on August 24-29 at Sail Newport in Newport, RI.

The U.S. Para Sailing Championships is one of the oldest sailing regattas in the U.S. for sailors with disabilities. The talented field often includes Paralympians, US Sailing Team members, and new contenders. This year’s championships will be raced in three fleets, all of which are adapted for sailors with disabilities.

“We have had a very long working relationship with US Sailing and look forward to seeing the sailors competing again in August on Narragansett Bay,” said Clagett Co-Founder and President, Judy Clagett McLennan. “After a challenging past 12 months we are looking forward to having sailors from across North America sailing in three classes and all aiming to take home experience, new sailing skills and maybe a trophy or two.”

Racing will be held in:
• The U.S. Para Sailing Singlehanded Championship for the Judd Goldman Trophy will be raced in the 2.4mR class.
• The U.S. Para Sailing Doublehanded Championship for the Chandler Hovey Trophy will be raced in the Martin 16
• The U.S. Para Sailing Triplehanded Championship for the Gene Hinkel Trophy will be raced in Sonars.

“US Sailing is thrilled with the opportunity to partner with The Clagett Regatta for the 2021 U.S. Para Sailing Championships,” said Betsy Alison, Adult Director at US Sailing. “The high standards of education opportunities and on-water competition at The Clagett are well matched with the tradition of excellence embodied in our US Sailing National Championships.”

Along with the Championship trophies, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Trophy, the Susan B Johnson – Sportsmanship Award, the Larry Gadsby – Most Improved Award, the Nick Scandone – Spirit Award, and the Robie Pierce and Gene Hinkle – Seamanship Award will be presented to sailors taking part in the regatta.

First established in 1986, the U.S. Independence Cup became US Sailing’s National Championship for sailors with disabilities in 1989. In 2007, the regatta moved under the championships division of US Sailing and was renamed the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship. In 2018, the event was renamed the U.S. Para Sailing Championships to align with International Paralympic Committee terminology for all sports.

Many competitors racing at the U.S. Para Sailing Championships and The Clagett have gone on to represent the United States at the Paralympics Games, including Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon, gold medalists in 2008; John Ruff, bronze medalist in 2008; Jennifer French and J.P. Creignou, silver medalists in 2012; and Rick Doerr, Hugh Freund, and Brad Kendell, silver medalists in 2016.

For more information about The 2021 Clagett and U.S. Para Sailing Championship, including Notice of Race and registration information: 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. 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.