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HISTORY
OF THE Links To Past Events: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 In August 2002, a small group of people gathered to discuss how to take sailors with disabilities to an elite level of sailing in order to increase the talent pool of U.S. sailors vying for Paralympic competition. This discussion led to the formation of the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Regatta, first held in August 2003, with the help and support of Tom Clagett’s daughter and granddaughter, Judy and Stephanie McLennan. The event is sanctioned by US SAILING and the Organizing Authority is Sail Newport. This event is dedicated to the memory of Tom Clagett who was a strong, tough, driven person who was dedicated to the values of Corinthian sailing and sportsmanship. Those close to him, and at times even some not so close, were never left in doubt of where he stood on any given issue that was important to him. When Tom was a young man he was stricken with Meningitis which left him temporarily paralyzed. Fortunately this was a temporary condition, but it left Tom with a respect for the accomplishments that people with disabilities are able to achieve as well as their daily challenges.
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. “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.” Everyone involved with this Clinic/Regatta is considered to be amongst the best in their fields of expertise. Sail Newport offers a world class Regatta Site and Race Management expertise. The Judges all have their International and or their National qualifications. The Coaches are headed up by Betsy Allison, herself a top sailor.
All involved are dedicated to achieving the same goal of sharing their invaluable knowledge with the sailors in order to expand the talents of U.S. sailors with disabilities and help them attain their individual dreams and represent the U.S. at National and International competition in paralympic class boats. The Vision for this Clinic/Regatta is to become the leader in developing competitive sailing opportunities for sailors with disabilities. C. THOMAS CLAGETT, JR. MEMORIAL REGATTA Vision-Mission Statement
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