The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta to Host 2026 U.S. Para Sailing Championships
The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and U.S. Sailing have announced that the 2026 U.S. Para Sailing Championships will be held at Sail Newport in Newport, R.I., June 26-28, during the 24th annual Clagett clinic and regatta.
This marks the fourth time Clagett Sailing has hosted the national championship, having previously done so in 2018, 2021 and 2023. The organization also hosted the Blind Sailing National Championships in 2011.
Twenty-five sailors from across North America, representing the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, are registered to compete. Among them are several Clagett Sailing Boat Grant recipients racing boats provided through the program, which the organization established in 2016. Chuck Allen, Peter Eager, Siobhan MacDonald and Julio Reguero — all of whom represented Team Clagett at the 2025 2.4mR World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy — will compete in the 2.4mR fleet alongside returning and first-time participants.
Californian Julie Smith will travel to Rhode Island to defend her 2025 U.S. Para Sailing Championship title. Smith competed in the Hansa 303 last year and will sail in the double-handed Martin 16 class in 2026.
Competition will be held across two fleets, both adapted for sailors with disabilities. The U.S. Para Sailing Singlehanded Championship for the Judd Goldman Trophy will be sailed in the 2.4mR class, and the U.S. Para Sailing Doublehanded Championship for the Chandler Hovey Trophy will be sailed in the Martin 16.
Additional awards to be presented include 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.
“Twenty-four years ago, the Clagett Sailing journey began with five boats racing at the inaugural clinic and regatta,” said Stephanie McLennan, Clagett Sailing president and co-founder. “This year, we have 25 sailors from across North America and Puerto Rico racing in two classes as we host the U.S. 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.”
Betsy Alison, adult director at U.S. Sailing, emphasized the alignment between the two organizations. “We are proud to be partnering with Clagett Sailing for the U.S. Para Championship,” she said. “This event, and its commitment to building the next generation of Paralympic sailors, is helping World Sailing’s efforts for reinstatement in the Paralympic Games in Brisbane and beyond.”
One of the oldest sailing regattas for athletes with disabilities in the country, the U.S. Para Sailing Championships traces its origins to the U.S. Independence Cup, first established in 1986. It became U.S. Sailing’s national championship for sailors with disabilities in 1989, was renamed the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship in 2007 and took its current name in 2018 to align with International Paralympic Committee terminology.
Many past competitors have gone on to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games, including gold medalists Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon and bronze medalist John Ruff in Beijing in 2008; silver medalists Jennifer French and J.P. Creignou in London in 2012; and silver medalists Rick Doerr, Hugh Freund and Brad Kendell in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
The coaching staff for this year’s clinic and regatta includes Alison, Brian Todd and Mike Ingham, all of whom have coached at multiple Clagett Sailing events over the past 24 years.
For more information, visit www.clagettsailing.org.