Two Canadian sailors receive boats from the 2017 Clagett Boat Grant Program
Mar 8, 2018
2.4mR class racing at Clagett 2017; credit Clagett Regatta – Ro Fernandez
The C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta is pleased to announce the recipients of two 2.4mR boats from The Clagett Boat Grant Program are two sailors from Canada, Shaylagh Ley from Nepean, ON and DelaniHulme Lawrence from St Paul in Victoria, BC.
“We are very pleased that we are able to grant the two 2.4mR boats through the 2017 Clagett Boat Grant Program to two Canadian sailors. This is the second year that the program has granted boats to adaptive sailors with the intention of increasing opportunities available to adaptive sailors in North America. The skills learned have helped the sailors immensely,” commented the Clagett President and Co-Founder, Judy Clagett McLennan.
From Nepean, Shaylagh Ley first started sailing following in her mother’s footsteps. Ley has been sailing for five years out of the Nepean Able Sail program. Ley sailed in Kelowna in the Mobility Cup racing in the Gold fleet for the first time, placing fourth overall, after finishing one race in first place. She plans to race at the 2018 Clagett Regatta in June and in regattas in Nepean while learning how the 2.4mR works and aims to improve her racing and sailing skills.
Paul Tingley winner of the 2.4mR class and Clagett trophy 2017 credit Clagett Regatta – Ro Fernandez
“It means a lot. I didn’t think I was going to get the boat and when I got the letter in the mail saying I did get the boat I was super happy and super excited and a bit nervous because I’ve never sailed a 2.4 before but I’m excited to learn,” said Ley after learning she will receive a 2.4mR boat through the Clagett Boat Grant Program.
DelaniHulme Lawrence is the second recipient of a 2.4mR boat and has been sailing for 18 years, competitively for ten. “I began sailing at four years old with her father in northern Alberta on his 16-foot Sea Spray catamaran, that stole my heart, I have been hooked ever since,” Hulme Lawrence explains. “I did a bit of sailing with the Sea Cadet program. Now I train, compete and am employed by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.”
“This grant will allow me to further my personal development and growth as both a competitor and a coach. This year we plan to travel to several events and regattas, but our Peak Event for 2018 is the Para World Championships in Sheboygan, WI. Ultimately, my goal is to qualify for Team Canada and represent my country at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.”
2.4mR class racing at Clagett 2017 credit Clagett Regatta – Ro Fernandez
Tony Pocklington from Edge Sailing in Florida, the US distributor for the 2.4mR boat, has received the boats from Finland and is currently preparing them for the two sailors.
Founded in 2003, the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta honors the late Tom Clagett (1916-2001), a U.S. Navy World War II veteran who learned to sail on Chesapeake Bay. As a youngster he suffered temporary paralysis as the result of a bout of meningitis; an experience that left him with a deep respect for the accomplishments of people with disabilities. The Clagett’s stated mission is “to assist sailors in realizing their potential on the water by providing them both the knowledge and tools to improve their skills and the opportunity to use these skills in competition”. Tom Clagett’s motto was “Reach for Success”, which resonates with every Clagett participant. Clagett competitors have seen medal success at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. Competitors often comment that, The Clagett, has improved their quality of life as they apply what is achieved on the water to everyday situations.
For more information about The Clagett, visit www.clagettregatta.org or follow the Clagett on Instagram @clagett_regatta or on Facebook Clagett Regatta.
