Report on The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic And Regatta, Newport RI

The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic And Regatta (partnered with the U.S. Para Sailing Championship) was held June 20-25 in Newport, RI. This year’s event included Martin 16’s and 2.4mR’s (open to adaptive and able bodied sailors alike).

Canada was well represented in the twenty-one boat, 2.4mR fleet with ten sailors making the trip south, including all four members of the NSC 2.4mR fleet. Coaches [1] Brian Todd, Nancy Haberland and Dave Dallenbaugh led us through two days of ashore and afloat clinics then followed us out to the racecourse each day for three days of very competitive racing. A total of eight races were run by RC team lead Tom Duggan [2] in predominately light, shifty, tidal conditions! Peter Eager of Toronto, ON took home the US Para Sailing Championship, bronze medal.

As a first timer at Clagett Newport and very new to the 2.4mR (and single-handed racing), I must admit the event was a bit intimidating. Day one, last off the dock, as my bow peaked out into Narragansett Bay for the first time, I’m sure my sails luffed in trepidation. By day three it was all starting to feel “normal”, if sailing a boat with five inches of freeboard amongst ocean going vessels, power boats and every type of sailboat imaginable can be considered normal. It was awesome!

The regatta itself was well run, the volunteers were many and super helpful, the competitors friendly and informative. A definite must-do for anyone with a little salt in their veins and a desire to challenge themselves with single-handed racing.

Track me down if you’re interested in learning more about the 2.4mR, the best single-handed keelboat for all.