Responding to requests from competitors, the organizers of the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic & Regatta in Newport, RI have expanded the scope of this popular event for sailors with disabilities.For the eighth running (August 22 - 26), “The Clagett” will welcome able-bodied sailors in two of the event’s four classes: the singlehanded 2.4mR and the Sonar, whose three-person crew must include at least one sailor with a disability The Clagett, hosted by Sail Newport, has grown from racing in Sonars (2003/’04) to include the other Paralympic classes, the 2.4mR (2005) and the SKUD- 18 (2006). In 2008, the inclusion of blind sailors competing in Sail Newport’s fleet of J/22s added another dimension as those four-person teams comprise two visually impaired sailors and two sighted guides.
“This is one way of exposing more sailors to The Clagett,” said event founder Judy McLennan. “Our mission is to help people reach their individual goals and this new initiative is in direct response to requests from competitors who want to race in more competitive fleets.”
Registration on Sunday, August 22 (3 - 5pm) will be followed by dinner with a special guest speaker. At Monday’s clinic, world champion sailors will share their expertise. Racing, including the 2010 Blind Sailing National Championship, will take place Tuesday through Thursday. For more information, visit clagettregatta.org.
Jan Harley of Media Pro International contributed to this report.
