The docks are the Alofsin Pier at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, are full to the brim with the boats of the 32 sailors with disabilities from across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico who are in Newport for the 22nd C. Thomas Clagett Memorial Clinic and Regatta presented by Clagett Sailing.
Two days of the coaching clinic were led by Para Sailing World Champion gold medalist Betsy Alison, who joined again this year, along with former Canadian Paralympic coach Brian Todd and Nancy Haberland from Maryland.
The 2.4mR fleet, which has been working with Todd and Haberland, and the Martin 16 fleet, which has been working with Alison on Narragansett Bay, have made the most of the conditions for the last two days. The sailors are eager to put their newly acquired knowledge into action on the water over the next three days of racing.
Returning to defend his title for the C. Thomas Clagett Jr Trophy is Julio Reguero from Puerto Rico. Reguero, who is a recipient of the Clagett Boat Grant program and is racing in the 2.4mR class has taken home the C. Thomas Clagett Jr Trophy for the last two years and will be aiming for a hat trick this year.
Chuck Allen from North Kingstown, Rhode Island is racing for the first time with the Clagett 2.4mR class. Allen is the most recent recipient of a boat from the Clagett Boat Grant program. Allen is a familiar face in sailing circles, having worked with the Newport North Sails loft for the last 25 years.
In the Martin 16 class, Chicago sailor Gary Pierce has teamed up again with local Newport sailor Jeff Long to defend their 2023 title against a strong Martin 16 fleet, which includes the 2023 U.S. Para Sailing Champions team of Tim Brown from East Boston, Massachusetts, and Sarah Everhart Skeels from Little Compton, Rhode Island.
“It’s fantastic to see so many familiar faces back with us in our 22nd year, as well as new sailors who have joined the fleet in Newport this year, including the latest Boat Grant Program recipient, Chuck Allen. I hope everyone takes home new skills and renewed friendships this year,” commented Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Stephanie McLennan.
For a complete list of entries for the 22nd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and more information about Clagett Sailing, visit: www.clagettsailing.org.
