Variety for U.S Para Championship

The U.S Para Sailing Championship and Independence Cup contended with hot temperatures and thunderstorms throughout the event but were still able to complete six races for the doublehanded Independence 20 class and seven races for the Sonar (triplehanded) and 2.4mR (singlehanded) on August 5-7 in Chicago, IL.

The opening day saw a shifty and light northerly, while day two was an east-southeast breeze beginning at six knots and building to 10-12. Thunderstorms and lack of wind kept competitors off the water on the final day.

The 2022 U.S. Para Sailing Championship was held in conjunction with the Independence Cup and run by Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation.

“The Independence Cup and U.S. Para Sailing Championship is always a wonderful event,” said Principal Race Officer John Palizza. “Everyone at the foundation does such a terrific job getting sailors into the sport, providing transport, putting them up in a hotel, and more. It’s a great event for sailors with disabilities.”

In the singlehanded division, Wisconsin native Matt Koblenzer took first with 14 points. Chris Childers of San Francisco came in second with 19 points, and Zak Kordik rounded out the podium in third with 21 points.

There was close racing in the Independence 20 fleet as the experienced duo of Shan McAdoo and 2008 Paralympic gold medalist Maureen McKinnon took first by a single point over second place team Bonnie Everhart and Jasmin Washington. Christopher Murphy and Richard Hughes took third with 10 points.

The triplehanded division was dominated by Chicago locals Patrick LoDuca, Sarah Gilbert, and Paul Werzbach, who took first in every race of the regatta. The Massachusetts team of Duane Farrar, Will Fontanez, and Richard Kelley came in second with 22 points, while Gary Pierce, Jeff Long and Charles McClure took third with 23 points.

This year, to increase participation and competition, the triplehanded division was allowed one able-bodied crew member (excluding the helmsman) to compete alongside their disabled teammates.

Event information – Race details – Results

Source: US Sailing