2018 Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta dates announced
by Sam Crichton 23 Mar 2018 00:04 AEDT
28-30 September 2018
Clagett-Oakcliff 2017 winners Pauline Dowell and team © Francis George-Oakcliff Sailing
The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and Oakcliff Sailing are pleased to announce the 2018 dates for the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta hosted by The WaterFront Center.
Building on the success of two previous events, this year the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta will be held September 28-30 at Oakcliff and The Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, New York.
Clagett President and Co-Founder, Judy Clagett McLennan commented, "We are extremely excited to be partnering with Oakcliff and The WaterFront Center again this year to hold the third Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta for sailors for adaptive needs. We look forward to seeing previous attendees put in to practice skills they learned from the last two years and to watch new teams discover another racing format. These skills can be used in both match and fleet racing."
In 2017, 27 competitors enjoyed a variety of conditions. It was a second-time competitor Pauline Dowell who epitomizes the spirit of this regatta. Dowell, from Boston, Massachusetts, was at the bottom of the leader board in 2016, and she along with her crew of Christian Thaxton and Kay VanValkenburgh took home the top spot in 2017 without losing a match. Dowell is a long time blind sailor who has raced across the country with her Massachusetts based team.
"I absolutely love the Clagett and both Dave Perry and Dave Dellenbaugh! These coaches make the whole weekend such a fun and wonderful experience. The competitors are amazing and super wonderful people. It's more collaboration than competition. Winning the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta was an awesome experience and I look forward to taking part in this great event again this year!" commented Dowell. Dowell was reached for comment while in Morristown, N.J. training with her first ever guide dog, Dora. Dora will be living onboard Dowell's boat, which is on Boston Harbor, at the end of March.
Five-time National Match Racing Champion, Dave Perry, who along with Dave Dellenbaugh, winning America's Cup tactician, will be returning to coach over the three-day Clinic and Regatta, added," I am so pleased that the Clagett organization and Oakcliff are continuing to partner. Together, we are able to bring the excitement and challenge of formal match racing to a growing community of sailors who are falling in love with this style of racing."
Bill Simon, Race Program Director at Oakcliff remarked," We are expecting the best Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta this year. We moved the event to late September so we can expect better wind and even more competitive match racing. Requests for invitations are now open and it is important to get your request in now as many past competitors have already expressed interest. We expect a full regatta. Thanks to all of our partners, Sail Ahead, The WaterFront Center and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, who help The Clagett and Oakcliff make this event possible."
For more information about The Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta, please click here.
To request an invitation to participate in the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta click here.