Twenty years of reaching for success

The 2022 C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta is set to celebrate when it hosts its 20th anniversary event on June 21-26 in Newport, RI. From unassuming beginnings, it has evolved today into a multi-program organization providing opportunities for sailors with disabilities.

The organization has now rebranded for its future to be known as Clagett Sailing and with it a motto of Learn–Race-Win. Learn-to Reach for Success!, Race-in the Corinthian spirit, Win-self-empowerment.

“This is a milestone year for The Clagett, reaching our 20th year of providing sailors with disabilities a variety of programs and opportunities to improve their skills and strive to reach their goals by using the words of my father Tom Clagett to always “Reach for Success,” commented Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Judy Clagett McLennan.

“From the idea discussed with Robie Pierce 21 years ago to where we are today with the programs, clinics, and regattas, we are certainly continuing to fulfill the Clagett 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.”

Sarah Everhart Skeels, who is now a Clagett Sailing board member, participated in the first event and has witnessed the event support the growth of disabled sailing, not only in Rhode Island, but in North America and beyond.

“The Clagett organization’s humble inception at a picnic table resulted in an organization which now hosts two large regattas attended by sailors from across the US, Canada, and Europe.

“The Clagett organization brings together a unique community of volunteers, financial supporters, industry professionals and sailors, to celebrate the impact this inclusive sport brings and the mission of Clagett Sailing to ‘Reach for Success’.”

Clagett Sailing will be the presenting organization for the fleet racing; the 20th Anniversary of the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta in Newport, RI and the match racing clinic and regatta in Oyster Bay, NY.

Along with the regattas, Clagett Sailing has several programs providing sailors with opportunities to Learn-Race-Win, including the Clagett Boat Grant Program, Team Clagett. Also, Clagett Sailing works to foster opportunities for sailors with disabilities with partner yacht clubs and sailing organizations.

The Clagett Boat Grant Program, which was started in 2016, provides sailors with disabilities race-ready boats to enable them to race at their fullest potential. Currently there are nine boats within the Clagett Boat Grant Program, eight 2.4mRs and one Sonar. The loaned boats give sailors the opportunity to train and race in regattas across North America and on the world stage.

Another Clagett Sailing program, which will have its debut in 2022, is Team Clagett which has been established to provide selected Clagett sailors the opportunity to experience training and racing at national and world championship sailing events. The first Team Clagett event will be the 2022 .4mR World Championships this November in Tampa, FL.

For this event, Team Clagett will consist of sailors and a world-renowned coach. The Team Clagett sailors will be chosen based on the top three disabled finishers at the 2022 C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta. Additionally, the next highest placing boat grant recipient will earn a berth on Team Clagett.

Clagett Sailing will present the 20th Anniversary of the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, which will be hosted at Sail Newport June 21-26, in Newport, RI. There will be three classes racing including the single-handed 2.4mR, the double-handed Martin 16, and the triple-handed Sonar.

“We’re thrilled that our organization has grown from providing a single five-boat regatta at its inception to today’s multi-class regatta, online training, match racing events, and the new travel Team Clagett,” said Clagett Sailing Co-Founder and Vice President Stephanie McLennan.

“Our motto ‘Reach for Success’ remains the same core goal as it has been for twenty years.”

Event details: www.clagettsailing.org