After the successful 2008 US SAILING’s Disabled Championship, it was evident that competitors wanted more top-level disabled sailing events. The American Yacht Club responded by organizing the inaugural Robie Pierce One Design Regatta. From June 5-7, 25 teams will compete in a fleet of donated Ideal 18s. Each boat will include two blind or disabled sailors and one able-bodied sailor.
“The competitors in the disabled sailing community have a passion for sailing,” said AYC event chair Siobhan Reilly, “I have already received several emails letting me know how excited they are to compete.”
To launch the event, AYC reached out to Robie Pierce and Carl Olsson, the first winners of the US SAILING Disabled Championships. Both will be racing in the event and Olsson will present the perpetual trophy.
Over the years, event organizers hope the regatta will rotate to area yacht clubs, traveling to Larchmont in 2010 and Riverside in 2011.
