SAN DIEGO, Calif. (August 26, 2015) – The spirit of sailing will be in full color this week in San Diego at the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship, hosted by Southwestern Yacht Club. Doublehanded teams will race in the Martin 16 class sailboat for the Chandler Hovey Trophy on North San Diego Harbor this Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29.
To increase participation and drive more awareness to the opportunities in adaptive sailing, US Sailing and the Southwestern Yacht Club have organized two development fleets in the singlehanded Liberty and triplehanded Capri 22 class sailboats. Sailors will take part in a racing clinic with practice on Wednesday led by US Sailing Paralympic Coach Betsy Alison.
Twenty-one wounded members of the armed forces, both retired and active duty, from the Warrior Sailing program will be on hand to participate in the racing, clinics and practice this week. They will be accompanied by Jennifer French, Founder of Warrior Sailing, and Ben Poucher, Program Director of Warrior Sailing. This program is focused on introducing active military and veterans with disabilities to sailing, learning to sail and basic sailboat racing.
This US Sailing National Championship is one of the oldest sailing regattas in the U.S. for sailors with disabilities. The talented field often includes Paralympians, current or former US Sailing Team members, and new contenders. First established in 1986, the U.S. Independence Cup became US Sailing’s National Championship for sailors with disabilities in 1989. In 2007, the regatta moved under the championships division of US Sailing and was renamed the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship. Many competitors from this championship have gone on to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games including Nick Scandone, gold medalist at the 2008 Paralympics, and Jennifer French, silver medalist at the 2012 Paralympics.
The Chandler Hovey Trophy was donated at the 1994 Independence Cup by A.G.A. Correa and Co. to US Sailing. “Buzz” Hovey, for whom it is named, was active in 12 Metre racing in the ‘50s and ‘60s with the family owned, Easterner. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1947, he continued to sail and race actively, especially in his Shields Class boat, until 1981 when he retired from the racing circuit.
For results and standings, photos, Twitter (#DisabledSailing) updates from San Diego, and more information about the 2015 U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship, please visit the event website.
The 2015 U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship is sponsored by Gill North America, Old Pulteney, and Switlik Survival Products.
US Sailing Media Contact: Jake Fish, jakefish@ussailing.org
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Gill North America
Gill NA, with headquarters near Atlanta, GA is the exclusive importer and distributor of Gill-brand foul weather gear in North America including Caribbean, US and Canada. Gill is a worldwide apparel and accessories brand serving the marine industry with over three decades of experience. Gill specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof clothing. The company develops and markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. Gill products are available through hundreds of independent dealers and select West Marine Stores. For further information, please contact: Gary Barker at 941-505-2111 or gary.barker@gillna.com.
About Old Pulteney
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky is strongly rooted in the whisky’s nautical heritage and is commonly referred to as ‘The Maritime Malt.’ Old Pulteney is the Official Scotch of US Sailing and recently released a limited-edition ‘Navigator’ expression, commemorating the brand’s sponsorship of the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Crafted in Pulteney Distillery in Wick, Scotland, the distillery was founded in 1826 by James Henderson in the heart of “Pulteneytown,” one of the largest fishing ports in Europe. Each Old Pulteney expression is carefully crafted and carries the windswept and rugged character of the North and the salty, fresh air of the North Sea. It is distributed by International Beverage, Inc. Visit Old Pulteney on Facebook or at www.oldpulteney.com for more information.
About Switlik Survival Products
Established in 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. has been owned and operated by the Switlik family for four generations and is known worldwide as a manufacturer of the highest quality sewn and heat sealed inflatable safety and survival products for the aviation, marine, and military/government markets. Our capabilities include a wide variety of anti-exposure and anti-g suits, inflatable life rafts, inflatable life vests, inflation systems and other specialty textile-based military equipment all manufactured at our 85,000 sq. ft. facility located in Trenton, NJ USA. www.switlik.com