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THE
C. THOMAS CLAGETT, JR.
MEMORIAL REGATTA
sailed in
paralympic class boats
Press and PR page
For
Immediate Release
Contact: Jan Harley, Media Pro Int’l, 401-849-0220
2008 Clagett Regatta Expands to
Include Blind Sailors
NEWPORT,
R.I. (February 21, 2008) – Building on its mission to provide sailors with
disabilities the opportunity to hone their competitive skills, the 2008 C.
Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has expanded to welcome the
participation of blind sailors for the sixth annual running of this event
hosted by Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center.
Incorporating the 2008 Blind Sailing National Championship into the
Clagett will not only work to develop the skills of sight-impaired
sailors, but also will provide invaluable training for competitors
preparing to compete in New Zealand at the 2009 IFDS Blind Sailing World
Championship.
Scheduled for August 17-21, the 2008 Clagett Regatta will kick off with a
one-day clinic (August 18) that has become the hallmark of the event and
is planned to again feature world champion sailors sharing their expertise
on everything from the racing rules to match racing techniques.
On the water, racing will take place August 19-21 in the classes selected
for the Paralympic Games -- the single-person 2.4 Metre, two-person
Skud-18, and the three-person Sonar. Sail Newport’s fleet of J/22s will
be utilized by the blind sailors who will race just two days (August
19-20) for the 2008 Blind Sailing National Championship title. The clinic
and regatta is open to both U.S. and foreign competitors.
“We are very excited to welcome the blind sailors into The Clagett
family,” said event founder Judy McLennan (Newport, R.I.), daughter of the
event’s namesake. “The growth of the event -- from offering racing in
Sonars (2003-2004), to include 2.4 Metres (2005), Skud-18s (2006), and
J/22s (for 2008) – allows us to fulfill The Clagett’s goal of providing
sailors with disabilities not only the knowledge and tools to improve
their skills, but also the opportunity to test them in competition.”
The C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta honors the late Tom
Clagett (1916-2001), a U.S. Navy World War II veteran who learned to sail
on the Chesapeake Bay. As a youngster he suffered temporary paralysis as
the result of a bout of meningitis; it was an experience that left him
with a deep respect for the accomplishments of people with disabilities,
especially athletes.
Background on the event is available online at
www.ussailing.net/Clagett/
-end-
2008 Clagett Regatta Expands to Include Blind Sailors
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