Newport's Betsy Alison Named Chairwoman of ISAF Disabled Sailing Committee

Newport’s Betsy Alison, the head coach for the C. Thomas Clagett Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta, can add a new title to her resume: Chairwoman of the International Sailing Federation’s Disabled Sailing Committee.

The committee has recently been reconstituted and Alison will join five other new members from Australia, China, Italy and New Zealand in an effort to have sailing reinstated in the Paralympic Games, among other initiatives.

“We at The Clagett want to congratulate Betsy on her appointment as Chairman of the DSC. As the head coach for The Clagett she has played a very important part in the clinic and coaching aspects of the event. We are 100% in support of ISAF’s efforts to have sailing reinstated in the slate of sports for the Paralympic Games,” said Clagett co-founder and President Judy McLennan, a Portsmouth resident.

In a May 21 statement, ISAF said it is “committed to the continued development and structure of disabled sailing in all aspects. A budget has been approved for a Paralympic development program similar to that of the ISAF Emerging Nations Program. Performance clinics will be held to enable Member National Authorities (MNAs) to send a number of disabled sailors, coaches and MNA representatives to participate in a week long program. Disabled sailing is included in the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF has introduced prize money and broadcast coverage to ensure alignment with the Olympic disciplines. With help from the MNAs, ISAF believes that the Sailing World Cup can be a successful stepping stone to promote disabled sailing.”

In the 12 years the Clagett has been held, Clagett sailors have medaled in the 2008 and 2012 games, winning three gold, two silver and six bronze medals.

In 2012, Clagett sailor Jen French was named Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year.

“We will continue to provide opportunities for adaptive sailors to be on the water and to help them work towards their individual goals, whether they be to be a first time sailor or to represent their country on the international stage,” McLennan said.

For more information about The Clagett visit : www.clagettregatta.org

About the C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta: 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. The event includes all three boats that have been chosen as the equipment of the Paralympic classes: the three-person Sonar, the two-person SKUD-18 and the singlehanded 2.4 Metre. Clagett competitors have seen medal success at the 2008 and 2012 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.

C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta 2015 sponsors: Fiduciary Trust International and Three Golden Apples at the Platinum level; American International Group, Inc. (AIG) at the Gold level; The Horance A. Kimball & S. Ella Kimball Foundation at the Silver level; 7D Ranch, BNY Mellon, Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty, Innovative Construction Inc., John MacGowan Studio & Gallery and The Rhode Island Sailing Events Commission at the Bronze level.

Photo: Newly appointed DSC Chairman Clagett head coach Betsy Alison credit Clagett Regatta/Matthew Cohen