North American Challenge Cup - Disabled sailors compete in Chicago

by Christie Denson on 8 Aug 2010 North American Challenge Cup.

Top Paralympic athletes, including members of the US Disabled Sailing Team, will compete in the 2010 North American Challenge Cup Regatta (NACC) Friday, August 6th through Monday, August 9th at the Chicago Yacht Club’s Belmont Station.

For 18 years, the NACC has showcased the top athletes in disabled sailing, and this year’s event draws competitors from twelve U.S. states as well as international sailors from Toronto and Antigua.

New to the NACC this year is Maureen McKinnon-Tucker, a paraplegic and member of the only American team to win a Gold medal in the Paralympics for sailing.

'I can tell you first hand that adaptive sailing can be a very inclusive sport and can be amazingly empowering for the disabled sailor,' she explains. Tucker runs an adaptive sailing program in Boston, Mass.

'I think adaptive sailing was best described by a paraplegic sailor in my program who said learning to sail after the disability has made her feel alive and in charge again.' Tucker along with skipper Nick Scandone, who has since passed away, won the gold medal in the SKUD-18 class at the 2008 Paralympics in Qingdao, China.

Tucker is using the NACC as a chance to practice in the Sonar (the triplehanded class) for her next run at Gold in London in 2012. She will be up against tough competition from USDST member Julia Dorsett, (West Chester, Penn..), Burt Foster (Wayzata, Minn.) and Chris Martin (St. Johns, Antigua).

In addition to the Sonar (triplehanded ) class, there are two other classes competing in this regatta, the Freedom 20s (doublehanded) and 2.4Mr (singlehanded) bringing almost 40 athletes who will sail in Chicago this weekend.

As sponsors of the event, American Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Chicago Yacht Club Foundation and Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing play a vital role at this event.

The support of corporate supporters is critical to the success of the NACC regatta, for the logistics involved in traveling to and participating in the event can be both physically and financially daunting.

Corporate partners provide the generous support needed so participants can concentrate on the tough competition they face on the water.

The event will take place August 6- August 9 2010 at the Chicago Yacht Club (and lakefront), Belmont Harbor, 300 East Belmont Avenue. Saturday/Sunday Races 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday Races 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information about how to view the race, for results and pictures from the event as it happens, visit www.chicagoyachtclub.org/nacc.