Some of the best disabled sailors in the U.S. gathered at Chicago Yacht Club this afternoon to listen to a chalk talk, kicking off the 2006 U.S. Independence Cup and North American Challenge Cup.

Sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc., the Race Clinic included the chalk talk on racing tactics, followed by practice racing. The competitors in this year's event are some of the top athletes in their classes. They include men and women in all age brackets, selected through a series of local and regional regattas. Two-person crews will compete in specially outfitted 20-foot Freedom Independence boats, each of which will also be co-manned by a non-competing able-bodied volunteer, to help ensure the safety of all participants. Solo entrants will race without assistance in single-handed 2.4mR boats, the same boats that are used by able-bodied sailors in international competition and by disabled athletes in the Paralympic Games.

This is the 15th running of the NACC and the 17th running of the Independence Cup.