The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and U.S. Sailing are excited to announce that the 2026 U.S. Para Sailing Championships will be hosted by Clagett Sailing at the 24th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta at Sail Newport in Newport, R.I. June 26-28.
2026 will be the fourth time that the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta has hosted the US Para Sailing Championships. Clagett Sailing hosted the championships in 2018, 2021 and 2023 and has previously hosted the Blind Sailing National Championships in 2011.
Twenty-five entries have been received from sailors from across North America traveling from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Among the registrations are a number of Clagett Sailing Boat Grant recipients who will be racing boats provided through this program established by Clagett Sailing in 2016. Chuck Allen Peter Eager, Siobhan MacDonald, and Julio Reguero, who all represented Team Clagett at the 2025 2.4mR World Championships in Lake Garda Italy, will be joining the 2.4mR fleet this year along with many returning sailors and new sailors joining the ranks.
Traveling to Rhode Island to defend her 2025 US Para Sailing Champion title is Californian Julie Smith, who sailed in the Hansa 303 in 2025 and will be sailing in the double handed Martin 16 class in 2026.
“Twenty-four years ago, the Clagett Sailing journey began with five boats racing at the inaugural clinic and regatta. This year we have 25 sailors from across North America and Puerto Rico racing in two classes as we host the US Para Sailing Championship for the fourth time. Over the next week sailors will work with coaches during the clinic and regatta as they Reach for Success and I wish them all a wonderful regatta full of learning, fun and achievement,” said Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Stephanie McLennan.
“We are proud to be partnering with Clagett Sailing for the U.S. Para Championship. Our missions align perfectly, to promote the development and accomplishments of Para Inclusive sailors in the United States and in North America,” said Betsy Alison, Adult Director at US Sailing. “This event, and its commitment to building the next generation of Para sailors is helping World Sailing’s efforts for reinstatement in the Paralympic Games in Brisbane and beyond.”
The U.S. Para Sailing Championships is one of the oldest sailing regattas in the U.S. for sailors with disabilities. The talented field often includes Paralympians, US Sailing Team members, and new contenders. This year’s championships will be raced in two fleets, all of which are adapted for sailors with disabilities.
- The U.S. Para Sailing Singlehanded Championship for the Judd Goldman Trophy will be raced in the 2.4mR class.
- The U.S. Para Sailing Doublehanded Championship for the Chandler Hovey Trophy will be raced in the Martin 16
Along with the Championship trophies, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Trophy, the Susan B Johnson – Sportsmanship Award, the Larry Gadsby – Most Improved Award, the Nick Scandone – Spirit Award and the Robie Pierce and Gene Hinkle – Seamanship Award will be presented to sailors taking part in the regatta.
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. In 2018, the event was renamed the U.S. Para Sailing Championships to align with International Paralympic Committee terminology for all sports.
Many competitors racing at the U.S. Para Sailing Championships and the Clagett Regatta have gone on to represent the United States at the Paralympics Games, including Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon, gold medalists and John Ruff, bronze medalist in 2008 in Beijing; Jennifer French and J.P. Creignou, silver medalists in 2012 in London and Rick Doerr, Hugh Freund and Brad Kendell, silver medalists in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
The coaching line up working with sailors at the clinic and regatta this year includes Betsy Alison, Brian Todd and Mike Ingham, who have all coached at multiple Clagett Sailing regattas over the last 24 years.
For more information about the 2026 Clagett Regatta and U.S. Para Sailing Championship please visit: www.clagettsailing.org
About Clagett Sailing:
Founded in 2003, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta honors the late Tom Clagett (1916-2001), a U.S. Navy World War II veteran who learned to sail on Chesapeake Bay. As a youngster he suffered temporary paralysis as the result of a bout of meningitis; an experience that left him with a deep respect for the accomplishments of people with disabilities. Clagett Sailing’s stated mission is “to assist sailors in realizing their potential on the water by providing them both the knowledge and tools to improve their skills and the opportunity to use these skills in competition.” The organization has adopted Tom Clagett’s motto of “Reach for Success,” which resonates with every Clagett sailor.
2027 will be the 25th Anniversary of Clagett Newport. Clagett alumni sailors have earned medals at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. Along with reaching the 20th Anniversary milestone, the nonprofit organization while adhering to its original mission has evolved beyond its original single regatta format and has been rebranded “Clagett Sailing” to encompass the multiple programs it now offers to sailors with disabilities.
About US Sailing:
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, 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. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org