2020 dates for the fifth annual Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinegatta announced

Sarah Everhart Skeels, Spencer Raggio and Cindy Walker 2019 winners of the Clagett-Oakcliff © JJ Salvator

The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta and Oakcliff Sailing are pleased to announce that the fifth annual Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinegatta for sailors with disabilities will be held on September 18-20, 2020. Sagamore Yacht Club will host the sailors for the third year and The WaterFront Center will provide the Sonars to compete in.

Sailors who are interested in competing need to request an invitation for entry and can do so by completing the request online.

In each of the four years the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinegatta has been held, it has seen a different winner and in 2019 Sarah Everhart Skeels (Little Compton, R.I.) with her crew of Cindy Walker (Falmouth, Mass.) and Spencer Raggio (Malta, N.Y.) took home the top prize for the regatta. This was Everhart Skeels' third time competing at the Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinegatta and she had this to say to any sailors who are interested in racing this year, "We are definitely planning to be in Oyster Bay in September to defend our 2019 title. During the clinic and regatta, sailors receive tailored coaching from some of the best coaches this country has to offer. You can't find it anywhere else in the world." Her crew Spencer Raggio, who sails regularly with the Y Knot program from Lake George, N.Y. spoke about sailing with Everhart Skeels in 2019, "Match racing helps sailors improve on their fleet racing ability as it helps focus on boat handling, tactical and decision making skills that are transferable between fleet and match racing."

The Clagett's mission is to provide sailors with disabilities "the opportunity to improve their skills and reach personal goals through world-class coaching and competition." The Clagett /Oakcliff Match Race Clinegatta is no different. The clinic is designed to accelerate learning in this discipline that is new to some. Sailors should not be intimidated to try this new-to-them discipline, because match racing skills can be transferred to fleet racing. To continue to facilitate a level playing field for the competitors, Race Organizers will implement a silver and gold fleet after the initial round robin.

Clagett Regatta President and Co-Founder Judy Clagett McLennan (Portsmouth, R.I.) spoke about the importance of the match racing opportunities for sailors with disabilities, "As we work towards holding the fifth Clagett/Oakcliff Match Race Clinic and Regatta, I am thrilled to hear from so many sailors who appreciate the opportunity to learn another set of sailing and racing skills at this regatta which can be used in other racing competition. The mission of The Clagett in both match racing and fleet racing, is to provide sailors with disabilities, "the opportunity to improve their skills and reach personal goals through world-class coaching and competition." This regatta tries to accomplish this mission. I'm looking forward to seeing what this year brings for the sailors, both returning and new, who will join us in Oyster Bay come September."

For the fifth year the world-renowned match racing coaching duo of Dave Perry and Dave Dellenbaugh will be providing expert coaching for the sailors competing. Perry is a five-time US Match Racing Champion and Dellenbaugh helmed America3 during her successful defense of the America's Cup in 1992. Thanks to the enthusiasm and deep knowledge base of the coaches, competitors gain a wealth of skills that can be utilized at both match and fleet racing events in their future.

"Match racing makes you a better sailor...period. The races are close, so it calls on every sense and skill the sailors have to try and beat the other boat across the finishing line, and each person on the boat has a critical role to play. It is challenging, sometimes frustrating, but always exhilarating," commented Dave Perry (Southport, Conn.)

"It is exciting to see some of the same sailors returning many times and improving every year with the help of our great coaching duo. Last year we saw some of the most competitive match racing of Oakcliff's season at the Clagett/ Oakcliff Clinegatta. This year we plan to continue to recruit competitive sailors to keep the momentum going, while also bringing new match racers into the fold," Patrick Burks, Oakcliff's race program director commented.

For more information go to theclubspot.com/regatta/US6FMeDDrf