C. Thomas Clagett Regatta launches Boat Grant Program

by Sam Crichton on 27 Jun 2015 Known as an organization that is a leader in providing opportunities for disabled sailors and participants, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta launched The Clagett Boat Grant Program initiative at the Sail Into Summer Cocktail Party and Auction fundraiser, held in Newport, RI on June 4th.

Today co-founder and President Judy McLennan announced and explained the program to the assembled sailors in town for the start of the thirteenth Clagett Clinic and Regatta.

This initiative, the first of its kind in the USA for sailors with disabilities, will allow The Clagett to help expand the number of new sailors, using adaptive equipment, to sail and compete in regattas and community sailing programs. These boats would be loaned to sailors who fulfill the grant application requirements.

Ron Hopkins, Vice President and Principle Race Officer of the Clagett, has been an important part of the team that has worked on the creation of this program to benefit adaptive sailors in the USA.

The Clagett Boat Grant Program will be offered to a qualified North American sailor or team through a stringent selection process and will provide an adaptive race ready boat, trailer, insurance, and limited traveling expenses to a qualified classified sailor.

The life of a Boat Grant will be made for a period of up to four years, with an annual review by the Clagett Boat Grant Committee. A mentor will be assigned to each grantee. Each year the grantee will be evaluated on their responsibility fulfillment, sportsmanship, and ability to maintain the boat. At the end of the four years the grantee will have the opportunity to purchase the boat or turn it back to the Committee to be re-outfitted and used again by a new sailor.

'The launch of this initiative will enable The Clagett to assist adaptive sailors to 'Reach for Success', We have kicked this program off with a bang having secured approximately $40,000 to date with pledges at all levels. I would like to thank Ron Hopkins for his forethought in relation to this program and how The Clagett could adapt the Lightning class concept for use by the Clagett,' commented Judy McLennan (Portsmouth, RI), co-founder and President of The Clagett.

The initial Boat Grant Program budget of $75,000, plans to put both a Sonar and a 2.4mR boat in the hands of qualified sailors. Insurance for this program will be provided by a subsidiary company of long-term Clagett sponsor AIG.