Provide opportunities for disabled sailors

The 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta on June 18-22 hosted 30 sailors with disabilities for a two-day coaching clinic and three days of racing in Newport, RI.

With racing for the single handed 2.4mR class and the double handed Martin 16 class, the competition began with a 30+ knot breeze which caused two of the top 2.4mR boats to experience issues during the two races for the class. Day two was postponed due to a lack of wind before champagne sailing conditions arrived, while the final day was picture-perfect after a morning rainstorm.

The 14 2.4mR sailors traveled from across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico to work with the coaches during the two-day clinic and completed nine races. The fleet had eight of the Clagett Sailing Boat Grant recipients racing with the first and second place-getters recipients of boats from the Clagett Sailing Boat Grant program. Both sailors are part of Team Clagett heading to the 2.4mR World Championships in Italy this October.

This year, Clagett Sailing Boat Grant recipient and local Newport sailor Chuck Allen took home the top spot in the 2.4mR class along with the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. trophy. “I want to thank the Clagett race committee who are incredibly helpful and all the unbelievable volunteers,” said Allen. “It feels great to be back racing at the Clagett after my first Clagett regatta last year. I’ve done eight or nine regattas since then and have learnt a lot about the boat.”

Allen will be part of the five sailor Team Clagett competing at the 2025 2.4mR Worlds in Lake Garda, Italy. Completing the podium in the 2.4mR class was Clagett Sailing Siobhan McDonald (CAN) in second place while Steve Gilbert (USA) took home the bronze medal.

MacDonald, who is a Clagett Sailing Boat Grant Recipient and first-time member of Team Clagett, reflected on the event. “It’s been a long journey of challenges with boats and results but I’m really happy to come to a regatta like this and sail amongst competition like this and perform consistently at the top of the fleet.”

In the seven boat Martin 16 fleet, Clagett Sailing alumni Tracy Schmitt (CAN) returned after a 10-year hiatus and teamed up with a Clagett Sailing regular, crew member Dan Scher (USA). Schmitt/ Scher took the gold medal podium position after the Martin 16 fleet completed seven races.

Scher has competed at the Clagett previously as crew for JR Hardenburgh and on the final day of racing, when Schmitt had to return suddenly to Toronto, stepped in to skipper the boat with John Holser as crew. “This was my first time steering a Martin 16 in a regatta, I’ve crewed twice and applied what I’ve learned as a crew to step in to steer.”

Taking home the silver medal is the Clagett Sailing newcomer team of Michael Lung and Randall Emry (USA), and the bronze went to Eli Workman and Cindy Walker, both of whom are regulars at Clagett Sailing clinics and regattas. “It’s been great being at my first Clagett coaching clinic and regatta,” shared Lung. “I’ve learned a lot especially sailing in a new location and I hope to be back again at a Clagett regatta hopefully to win the class next time.”

Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Stephanie McLennan noted how she was very proud to continue the work she and her mother started 23 years ago in memory of her grandfather Tom Clagett.

“Clagett Sailing can’t provide the opportunities to the sailors without the amazing supporters we have including our wonderful sponsors, outstanding volunteers, phenomenal coaches and race management, and all the board members and fundraiser committee members who work tirelessly to continue to provide for everyone, sailors and supporters alike to Reach for Success. I look forward to the future of Clagett Sailing and all we hope to achieve as we continue into the next decade.”

Event information – Race details – Results

Source: Sam Crichton, Clagett Sailing