Newport Sailor Chuck Allen Sweeps Titles at 2026 U.S. Para Sailing Championships
Twenty-five sailors competing in the 24th C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and the 2026 U.S. Para Sailing Championships completed three days of racing in Newport, Rhode Island, following a two-day coaching clinic.
Thirteen sailors in the 2.4mR class and six boats in the Martin 16 class completed seven races in challenging conditions that tested the patience of sailors and race officials alike.
In the 2.4mR class, the larger of the two fleets, local Newport sailor Chuck Allen swept the titles, winning the Clagett Sailing 2.4mR class, the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Trophy and the U.S. Para Sailing Championship in the single-handed division for the Judd Goldman Trophy. Allen posted five wins and a second-place finish, building enough of a lead that he did not need to compete in the final race to secure the title.
“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,” Allen said. “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.”
In the double-handed Martin 16 class, Canadian sailors Tracy Schmitt and Igor Momot won convincingly. Schmitt, who also won the class in 2025, teamed with Momot, who was competing at the Clagett for the first time.
“The medal is exciting, but what stays with me long after the race is the community behind it,” Schmitt said. “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. Sitting atop 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 added, “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 reflected on his first Clagett title. “Winning the Clagett Regatta means a lot, but more than anything, I’m grateful for the experience and the people who made it possible,” he said. “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 teammate — 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 Portimão, Portugal, as the first step of many toward the return of sailing to the Paralympics.”
Massachusetts sailors Tim Brown and Cindy Walker claimed the U.S. Para Sailing Championship title in the double-handed class along with the Chandler B. Hovey Trophy. Brown also won the trophy and title in 2023, the last time Clagett Sailing hosted the U.S. Para Sailing Championship, sailing then 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, whom I sailed with for the first time last year in Oman at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships,” Brown said.
Clagett Sailing President and co-founder Stephanie McLennan spoke before the prize-giving ceremony. “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,” McLennan said. “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, praised the event after racing concluded. “The 24th Clagett Clinic and Regatta was a resounding success,” Alison said. “Both fleets saw solid racing and improved performance by the sailors over the five 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 Champions
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 Champions
C. 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