2025 U.S. Para Sailing Championship

Coronado Yacht Club Welcomes Top Adaptive Sailors and Industry Innovators in 2025

Nestled in the heart of San Diego Bay, the Coronado Yacht Club (CYC) has a rich history dating back to 1913. Originally leasing space at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado’s Boat House, the club’s founding members worked tirelessly to build docks and slips, creating a thriving sailing community. Today, CYC stands as one of California’s oldest yacht clubs, offering an ideal sailing environment with a steady ocean breeze and calm waters protected by the “Strand.” The club’s legacy is deeply rooted in its commitment to fostering a love for sailing across all ages and abilities. 

Hosting the 2025 U.S. Para Sailing Championship 

Coronado Yacht Club is proud to host the 2025 U.S. Para Sailing Championship, a premier adaptive sailing event that showcases the skill and determination of sailors with disabilities. This opportunity is a natural extension of CYC’s partnership with the KMAC Foundation, an adaptive sailing program named in honor of CYC Junior Sailing alumnus Kyle McArthur. Since 2013, KMAC has been a cornerstone of the club’s commitment to inclusivity, offering accessible sailing experiences, training dedicated volunteers, and hosting adaptive regattas, including the Hansa Championship of the Americas. Thanks to CYC member and KMAC leader, Jamie McArthur, the club has taken on the challenge of hosting this year’s U.S. Para Sailing Championship. This year’s event chair, Scott Bucks, has hope that the event  will provide their youth program with an opportunity to learn and help with such an essential discipline of the sport, while also giving the sailors a fun experience.  

CYC’s extensive experience with adaptive sailing events makes it an ideal venue for the U.S. Para Sailing Championship. With specialized lifting stations, a dedicated fleet of adaptive sailing boats, and a strong volunteer base, the club is well-equipped to ensure that competitors have a seamless and enjoyable experience both on and off the water. The event will not only provide top-tier competition but also foster camaraderie and create lasting memories for sailors, volunteers, and spectators alike. 

First established in 1986, what was then called the U.S. Independence Cup became US Sailing’s national championship for disabled sailors in 1989. For many years it was organized by the Disabled Sailing Committee and was run in conjunction with the North American Challenge Cup, which is hosted by Chicago Yacht Club.

In 2007, the regatta moved under the Championships division of US Sailing and was renamed the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship. The following year, the championship moved from Chicago Yacht Club to begin to travel around the country. Many competitors at the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championships have gone on to represent the United States at the Paralympics Games including Nick Scandone, gold medalist at the 2008 Paralympics The Chandler Hovey, Jr. Trophy was donated at the 1994 Independence Cup by A.G.A. Correa and Co. to US Sailing.

“Buzz” Hovey, for whom it is named, was active in 12 Metre racing in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s with the family-owned Twelve, Easterner. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1947, he continued, nonetheless, to sail and race actively, especially in his Shields Class boat, until 1981 when he retired from the racing circuit.

Peter Goldman donated the Judd Goldman Trophy in honor of Justin “Judd” Goldman (1914-1989) who, despite his own physical disability, was an accomplished sailor and inspired the creation of the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program, Chicago, Illinois. In 2009, the third trophy in honor of Gene Hinkel was donated in honor of Gene’s many contributions to disabled sailing and the US Paralympic team.

On December 18, 2017, the U.S. Sailing Board of Directors approved a name change from The U.S. Disabled Championship to the U.S. Para Sailing Championship to keep in line with the World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee format.

Information from US Sailing website.