Welcome to Sailors with Disabilities
Learn about the world of disabled sailing through stories and links on this page. Start by watching the Bull & Bear disabled sailing documentary.
Morrow Hard at Work
US Disabled Sailing Team Member Morrow (official support dog) hard at work at the 1st Annual Robie Pierce One Design Regatta held at American Yacht.
2009 Robie Pierce One Design Results
The highly successful (22 boats starting on one line) First Annual Robie Pierce One Design Regatta results are in. Won by US SAILING Team Alphagraphics' member Mark LeBlanc with crew Alex Streb. Runner up was Sonar skipper Jen French (also US SAILING Team Alphagraphics member) with crew Mike Hersey. Read more and view photos.
SailExpo at SYPC
It was another postcard-perfect day in St. Petersburg Saturday April 25. Over 100 people with a variety of disabilities, their family members, companions and volunteers enjoyed the waterfront at a recent Sailing Expo sponsored by the St. Petersburg Therapeutic Recreation Department. Read more.
2009 IFDS Blind Sailing Worlds
Light winds continue to frustrate sailors and race offricials on the final day of racing. More from the website and results page.
2008 National Coach of the Year: Betsy Alison
As Head Coach of the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Team, Betsy Alison was the driving force behind the team’s gold and bronze medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Qingdao, China. Read more.
Farewell Nick
Paralympic Gold Medalist Nick Scandone (Fountain Valley, Calif.), 42, passed away Friday, after a long battle with ALS. We'll miss you. Read more.
Team and Paralympian of the Year
US SAILING names Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker (SKUD-18) as 2008 Team of the Year and John Ruf (2.4mR) as 2008 Paralympian of the Year. Read more.
Sailing Without Sight
If you ever happen to see Boston sail racer Matt Chao at the helm of a J-22 driving hard downwind to the next mark, more likely than not, he will be facing dead aft. Continue reading this excellent article in Boat/US magazine.
American YC contribute $6,000
Council thanks American YC for their very generous contribution of $6,000 to assist with grass roots development of sailing for persons with disabilities. Photo of Independence Cup Chair Kevin D'Aprile, Bill Sandberg (AYC), Council Chair Linda Merkle, AYC Commodore Mike Bruno.
Hugh Elliot Awarded Gay S. Lynn Trophy
Hugh Elliot, former Sailors with special needs Committee Chair and current Secretary of the Council for Sailor with Disabilities is awarded US SAILING's Gay S. Lynn Trophy for service. Read press release and remarks by Peter Goldman.
Mark LeBlanc competes in Championship of Champions
2.4mR National Champion and 2007 Paralympic Trials contender Mark LeBlanc will compete in US SAILING's Championship of Champions against 19 able bodied National, North American and World Champions. The event is sailed in Sunfish. Reports and results.
Scandone and McKinnon-Tucker Clinch Paralympic Gold
Congratulations to Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker on their Gold Medals (first Paralympic Golds ever for the USA) in the SKUD-18 Class and to John Ruf for his Bronze in the 2.4mR Class. The picture is of Nick Scandone receiving his Gold Medal from Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Pictures courtesy of Dan Tucker. Read more.
2008 Paralympic Coverage
The latest news and links covering the event and US sailors. Be sure to check out the blog by team leader Sarah Hawkins and head coach Betsy Alison. Check it out!
Kerry Gruson awarded Liz Earle Ladies Day Trophy
Miami-based Kerry Gruson, the first disabled woman helm to compete at Cowes Week, has been awarded the 2008 Liz Earle Ladies Day Trophy at this year's Skandia Cowes Week. Read more.
Winners and Paralympians Celebrate Before Heading to China
The five American and six Canadian sailors who will represent their nations in the three sailing events of the 2008 Paralympic Games wrapped up their final day of racing for the 2008 C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Regatta being run from Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center. Read more.
Inkiala Skippers Win 2008 Blind Sailing National Championship
Luck... was not a factor in determining the 2008 Blind Sailing World Championship which was won by skipper Sengil “Inky” Inkiala (Watertown, Mass.) and crew Nancy Jodoin (West Brookfield, Mass.), sailing with sighted guides Ken Legler (Reading, Mass.) and Harry Berman (Hull, Mass.). Read more.
Gay S. Lynn Open for Nominations
Do you know an individual or an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to disabled sailing? US SAILING’s Council for Sailors with Disabilities is seeking nominations for the Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy, awarded to a person, volunteer or professional, or to an organization as having made an outstanding contribution to disabled sailors. Make a nomination.
Tie-Breakers & Heartbreakers at U.S. Disabled Championship
At the start of the final day of racing at the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship in Rye NY, it was not a sealed deal for Paralympic Team members Rick Doerr (Clifton, NJ), Tim Angle (Marblehead, MA), and Bill Donohue (Brick, NJ) in the Sonar. Read more about They US Disabled Championship.
Challenged America is back!
It's been three years since the San Diego-based Challenged America program officially entered a boat in an offshore race. Read more about Challenged America's return.
Join SWD's Yahoo Group
Stay in the loop with other sailors with disabilities by joining the Sailors with Disabilities Yahoo Group. Simply enter your e-mail address below and submit.