Chicago, Ill. (August 7, 2006) – Karen Mitchell (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) sailing this year with Michael Grimm (Miami Beach, Fla.) has won her fourth consecutive U.S. Independence Cup/ North American Challenge Cup sailing in the Freedom Independence class. Mitchell and Chicago native Mike Jaffe were locked in a tie with 9 points after five races. On the final day, Tim Flynn and Paul Choquette won the first race to tie Jaffe. But Mitchell and Grimm won the second race to cinch the title and Flynn and Choquette took 2nd on a tie breaker. Mitchell is campaigning to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Paralympic Games. Later this month, she’ll compete in the Clagett Memorial Regatta, a qualifier for the 2006 US Disabled Sailing Team, in the brand-new SKUD18. This championship is “most definitely a great way to prepare,” said Mitchell. “My philosophy is to get as much time, more practice, and reading the wind. Get in as many boats as you can, as often as you can.”


Roger Cleworth (Lithia, Fla.) won a tie breaker in the 2.4m R division of the 2006 Championship. Cleworth, a member of the 2006 US Disabled Sailing Team in the 2.4mR and winner of the event in 2002, was in a dead heat the entire series with John Ruf (Pewaukee, Wisc.) who was sailing in his first IC/NACC. “I didn’t think I’d won,” said Cleworth. “It was nerve wracking.” Ruf was disappointed to get second, but noted that after being away from sailing is some time, “It’s a joy to get back and sail around, shaking the dust off.”