Article by Sam Crichton
Article by Sam CrichtonNEWPORT, R.I. (June 30, 2026) – Twenty-five sailors competing at the 24th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and 2026 U.S. Para Sailing Championships have completed three days of racing which was preceded by a two-day coaching clinic.
The 13 sailors in the 2.4mR class and six boats in the Martin 16 class completed seven races with some challenging conditions in Newport testing the patience of sailors and race committee alike.
In the larger fleet of the two classes racing this year, the 2.4mR class, local Newport sailor Chuck Allen took home the trifecta of titles, the Clagett Sailing 2.4mR class, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Trophy and the US Para Sailing Champion title in the single-handed class for the Judd Goldman trophy. Allen, with a scoreboard of five wins and a second-place finish, had enough of a separation on the leaderboard going into the final day that he didn’t have to race using this as his drop result. Allen remarked after racing, “This is my third year in the 2.4mR boat from the Clagett Boat Grant program and the boat has been around the world, Italy and next Canada for the 2.4mR North American championship. I’d like to thank Clagett Sailing and the whole Clagett team for the boat and support, it’s been a huge confidence boost for my big boat racing after my stroke. Thanks also to the race committee, and the volunteers who make this clinic and regatta a fantastic experience.”
The double handed Martin 16 class with six boats racing, was won convincingly by the Canadian pair of Tracy Schmitt, who won the class in 2025 at Clagett and Igor Momot who is a first time Clagett sailor. Schmitt commented after her repeat win at the Clagett in the Martin 16 class, “The medal is exciting, but what stays with me long after the race is the community behind it. The Clagett is about far more than sailing. It’s a place where people of every ability are challenged, supported, and reminded of what they’re capable of. Every volunteer, race official, coach, teammate, sponsor, and family member helps create an environment where confidence grows alongside skill. That’s what inclusion looks like. “Standing” ha ha sitting on the top of the podium is an incredible honor, but the greatest victory is seeing people leave believing they can do more than they imagined. That’s the power of sport, and that’s the magic of the Clagett.” She continued, “I’ll always appreciate and celebrate the excitement of gold medal results with Stephanie’s grandad legacy face, but I’m even more grateful for the people behind it. The Clagett proves that when a community creates opportunity instead of barriers, extraordinary things happen—not just on the water, but in people’s lives.”
Momot said about his first time as a sailor at The Clagett, “Winning the Clagett Regatta means a lot, but more than anything, I’m grateful for the experience and the people who made it possible. I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible coaches who gave their time, insight, and patience so generously. Every lesson, every piece of feedback, helped shape not just our performance, but my perspective on what it means to grow in this sport. I’m also very grateful to my team mate – the Unstoppable Tracy – thank you. Your determination, positivity and resilience set the tone every time we went out on the water. I’ve learned so much from you, and it’s been an absolute privilege to compete alongside you. This win is something I’ll always appreciate, but it also feels like just one step in a much longer journey. I’m excited for what’s ahead, for the challenges that will push us further and for the opportunity to keep learning, improving and sailing with purpose. This is just the beginning with our goal of representing Canada at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portomao, Portugal as the first step of many towards the returning of sailing at the Paralympics.”
Taking the tile of US Para Sailing Champion in the double handed class and the Chandler B Hovey trophy is the team of Tim Brown and Cindy Walker, both from Massachusetts. Brown took home this trophy and title in 2023, the last time Clagett Sailing hosted the US Para Sailing Championship, when he sailed with Sarah Everhart Skeels. “We’ve had a great regatta and it feels amazing to win this title for the second time at Clagett this time with Cindy, who I sailed with for the first time last year in Oman at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships,” said Brown after racing.
Clagett Sailing President and Co-Founder Stephanie McLennan commented prior to prize giving, “Having hosted the US Para Sailing Championship alongside US Sailing for the fourth time, it has been wonderful to see many familiar faces return and new ones join them in both of the classes this year. I have a huge thank you to give to so many who make this clinic and regatta happen. Without their continued support and commitment, it wouldn’t happen, from the PRO Tom Duggan and race committee, to the coaches, our Bosun Gene Hinkel, our medical team and the Jury, our wonderful volunteers and our Board members and sponsors, they are all an integral part of the Clagett family.”
Betsy Alison, Adult Director at US Sailing remarked after racing was finished, ” The 24th Clagett Clinic and Regatta was a resounding success. Both fleets saw solid racing and improved performance by the sailors over the 5 days of sailing. It is always a treat to have the U.S. Para Championships held in conjunction with the Clagett which allows sailors to participate in two amazing events without having to choose between them! As we await the IPC decision at the end of the year on what the sport program will be in Brisbane 2032 for the Paralympics, I can only see greater participation at this event should sailing be back in the Paralympic Games.”
For more information about the 2026 Clagett Regatta and U.S. Para Sailing Championships, please visit: www.clagettsailing.org
U.S. Para Sailing Championships trophies:
- The U.S. Para Sailing Single-handed Championship for the Judd Goldman Trophy for the 2.4mR class – Chuck Allen
- The U.S. Para Sailing Inclusive Double-handed Championship for the Chandler B. Hovey for the Martin 16 class – Tim Brown and Cindy Walker
Clagett trophies:
- Thomas Clagett, Jr. Trophy – Chuck Allen
- Susan B Johnson – Sportsmanship Award – Shan McAdoo
- Larry Gadsby – Most Improved Award – Tim Brown and Cindy Walker
- Nick Scandone – Spirit Award – Tracy Schmitt
- Robie Pierce and Gene Hinkle – Seamanship Award – Michelle and John Seepe