23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta is in the books

2.4mR top two Siobhan MacDonald and Chuck Allen fighting it out on the water at the 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta © Clagett Sailing- Andes Visual

The 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta wrapped up in Newport, Rhode Island on June 22nd for the 30 sailors with disabilities, after three days of competitive racing and camaraderie along with a two-day coaching clinic in the single handed 2.4mR class and the double handed Martin 16 class.

The three days of racing provided challenges for the Race Management team and sailors with a 30+knot breeze greeting the fleet on the first day of racing which caused two of the top 2.4mR boats to experience issues during the two races for the class. Day two was another postponement for the two classes racing due to a lack of wind and once the fleet eventually made it out to the race course they had a champagne day of sailing in conditions Newport is known for. The final day of racing became a picture-perfect day of racing conditions after a morning rainstorm, which provided a great way to wrap up the regatta for the sailors as they applied the skills they learned during the five days in Newport.

The fourteen 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 placegetters 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.

C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. trophy winner Chuck Allen with Julie Wilson XPT and Stephanie McLennan at the 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta - photo © Clagett Sailing- Andes Visual

This year Clagett Sailing Boat Grant recipient and local Newport sailor Chuck Allen from North Kingstown, RI, 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. 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," said Allen after receiving his trophies. Allen, who first competed at Clagett Sailing in 2024 when he received the 2.4mR boat from Clagett Sailing, will be part of the five sailor Team Clagett competing at the 2.4mR Worlds in Lake Garda, Italy in October. Completing the podium in the 2.4mR class was Clagett Sailing Siobhan McDonald from Toronto Canada in second place and racing at his first Clagett Sailing clinic and regatta in Newport, Steve Gilbert from Halifax, MA, took home the bronze medal. MacDonald who is a Clagett Sailing Boat Grant Recipient and first-time member of Team Clagett said after racing," I feel very proud of how far I have come since my first Clagett in 2013, 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."

Final day of racing for the Martin 16 class at the 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta - photo © Clagett Sailing- Andes Visual

In the seven boat Martin 16 fleet, Clagett Sailing alumni from Toronto, Canada, skipper Tracy Schmitt who returned after a 10-year hiatus from sailing at the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, teamed up this year with a Clagett Sailing regular, crew member Dan Scher from Massachusetts. Schmitt and 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 today. I want to thank Tracy for her tutelage during the coaching clinic and racing yesterday, I could hear her giving instructions during the racing today," commented Scher after racing was wrapped up on Sunday. Taking home the silver medal is the Clagett Sailing newcomer team of Michael Lung and Randall Emry both from Hawaii, 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. 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," said Lung after receiving his silver medal.

Martin 16 sailors top three front row Michael Lung, Cindy Walker, Eli Workman back row Randall Emry, Dan Scher at the 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta - photo © Clagett Sailing- Andes Visual

"I'm very proud to be able to continue the work my mother and I started 23 years ago in memory of my grandfather Tom Clagett when we started the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta for sailors with disabilities. 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. Fair Winds to All," commented Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Stephanie McLennan.

Clagett trophies:

• C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Trophy - Chuck Allen
• Susan B Johnson - Sportsmanship Award - Jordan Gratton
• Larry Gadsby - Most Improved Award - Peter Norwood
• Nick Scandone - Spirit Award - Siobhan MacDonald
• Robie Pierce and Gene Hinkle - Seamanship Award - Delani Hulme-Lawrence

2.4mR sailors winners Siobhan MacDonald, Chuck Allen, Steve Gilbert at the 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta - photo © Clagett Sailing- Andes Visual

Overall Results:

2.4mR

Martin 16