The Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation hosted the Independence Cup for sailors with disabilities at Burnham Harbor in Chicago on July 26-29th, 2018.  This regatta attracted racers from around the U.S. and Canada. Paralympic silver medalist Rick Doerr was one of the participants. The event was well coordinated with numerous volunteers to assist with the logistics.  

There were three fleets of boats used in the competition - 2.4mR for singlehanded racers, Freedom Independence 20s for doublehanded racers and Sonars for triplehanded racers.  The boats were specially built and adapted to accommodate the various disabilities. The seeing-impaired, amputees and paraplegics were all able to compete.

A clinic and practice was held on Thursday followed by three days of racing.  Two coaches were on hand to give the sailors tips on improving their racing. In one session, the coach gave three strategies on approaching the starting line.  

Transportation, hotel accommodations and food were generously provided by sponsors including Hilton and Cook-Illinois Corporation.

The sailors remarked about the sense of freedom that they experience while sailing. Kathiana Reeves said "Sailing frees my spirit.  It allows me to soar with the wind."

INDEPENDENCE CUP 2018

August 2, 2018

On Friday, evening a gala fundraising event took place at the Shedd Aquarium - very appropriate for the sailing crowd.  The guests dined by the exhibits of the Aquarium and could watch the fish swimming as they ate their meal.  A short program took place in the Oceanarium.  The dolphins seemed to know when the last speech was ending and started jumping out of the water to the delight of the audience.

Zak Kordik from Chicago won first place honors in the 2.4mR division. Greg Plunkett from Kemah,Texas and his team of Andy Lovett and Scott Young came in first in the Sonar fleet. Winning in the Freedom class was Gary Pierce of Hebron, Indiana and Patrick Loduca.The Pete Paganis Award for most improved racer was awarded to Dave Whelan, and Ken Kelly was voted by his peers for the Kristi Walker Sportsmanship Trophy.

The Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing program was founded twenty-eight years ago in honor of Justin (Judd) Goldman who suffered a disabling bone disease at seventeen, but went on to compete in sailiboat racing for fifty-eight years. His wife Sliv, son Peter and daughter Judy established this program in partnership with the Chicago Park District to give disabled people the opportunity to learn and enjoy sailing - allowing them to gain self-esteem and independence.