Helly Hansen Sailor(s) of the Month - John McRoberts & Scott Lutes
by Sail Canada 1 Aug 2018 19:15 NZST
Helly Hansen Sailor of the Month - John McRoberts & Scott Lutes © Sail Canada
The 16th C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and the 2018 U.S. Para Sailing Championships took place last month, from June 19- 24, 2018 in Newport, Rhode Island. The event gathered over 46 sailors from across North America competing in 10 races, over three days.
The event included a new class to adaptive sailing, the RS Venture Connect. This fleet contained seven teams, one of which included Paralympians John McRoberts and Scott Lutes. Competing in a round robin for the first two days of racing, John and Scott made their way to the semi-finals, and kept their number 1 place throughout the whole event. John mentions, "It was our first experience in a new boat, with a new team, in a completely new format. How perfect for someone looking for a change!"
On top of winning their division, John and Scott were awarded the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Trophy for overall general excellence to a full team of sailors with disabilities. Scott Lutes comments on the event;
"The Clagett Regatta is great, really something special. Young and upcoming sailors come to learn, test their mettle and gain experience racing seasoned competitors. Several Canadians were in Newport to be part of that. It's important event for the future of Para Sailing and John made a lot of time to fire up the younger crowd. The U.S. Para Sailing Championships were combined with Clagett this year. Winning was an added bonus."
Watch out as the new para combo race together in the RS Venture Connect at the 2018 Para Sailing World Championships later this year in Sheboygan, WI.
Find results from the event.
A mention goes out to Richard Clarke and crew of the Wizard for their 1st place finish in the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division - Class 15 at the 2018 Newport-Bermuda Race.
Congratulations to the Helly Hansen Sailor of the Month – John McRoberts & Scott Lutes.
Sail Canada's Sailor of the Month award acknowledges sailing achievements by Canadians involved or associated with the sport in all its forms. Sail Canada encourages the submission of noteworthy Canadian sailing activities to