Local event marks the first time for series on the West Coast

US Sailing’s national Disabled Sailing Championship will be held in San Diego for the first time on the West Coast between Oct. 26 and 28. The championship will be hosted by the Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC). Eleven races will be sailed over three days, held in San Diego Harbor between Shelter/Harbor islands and Coronado Island. Participants with varying levels and types of disabilities are expected from all over the U.S. and Canada. There are five types of boats with three Championship Fleets and three Development Fleets:  Championship Fleets: Capri 22 (3 crew), Martin 15 (2 crew), 2.4m (1 crew); Development Fleets: Martin 16 (2 crew), 303 (2 crew), Liberty (1 crew). The regatta is administered by the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship Commit-tee and designated a Grade 1 event. There will be competitors with disabilities of all types, including paraplegics, amputees and blind sailors. Able-bodied sailors sometimes crew with the disabled. The number of sailors on board depends on the craft and the classification of the disability by the International Association for Disabled Sailing classification. Here is the schedule, subject to change: Thursday, Oct. 25: registration; Rolex on-water racing clinic: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; competitors meeting, 4 to 5 p.m.; welcome cookout, 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26: Continental breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m.; racing, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27: Continental breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m.; racing: noon to 4 p.m.; dinner provided at SWYC, 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28: Continental Breakfast: 8 to 10 a.m.; racing: noon to 4 p.m.; awards banquet, 6:30 to 9 p.m.  For more information, call (619) 222-0438, or visit www.southwesternyc.org. The Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC) is one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in San Diego. Founded in 1925, it has developed into a full-service operation, with nearly 750 members embracing all forms of yachting, fishing and social activities, and earning a reputation as the friendliest club in the area. SWYC has recently opened a new facility on San Diego Bay, and has a long tradition of sailing, racing and providing race committees many times a year.