Dear Fellow Sailors,
We hope you and your families are enjoying the holiday season. Though the world changes at an astonishing and accelerating pace, these few precious days at the end of December still feel more open to reflection than the other 360 days.
Our goal at US Sailing is to empower those that power the sport through knowledge-share and resources. Whether it’s information-packed breakout sessions at the National Sailing Program Symposium, or a new Safety at Sea Online course, or bringing together the best coaches in the country for the first-ever National Coaching Symposium, our intent is to send out ripples of thoughtful ideas and innovative strategies, that will empower and inspire you and sailors like you. It will happen over time and it will only happen if we can come together as a community.
Please take a moment to browse through highlights from 2017 and the many positive stories, imagery and visuals we experienced together. We are grateful to you our members, volunteers and partners for helping us support the great sport of sailing.
Sincerely,
We are Connected & Ready to Serve Sailors
We Moved our Headquarters Location!
Sailing is evolving and at US Sailing we are dedicated to a healthy and sustainable future that inspires new sailors and provides a pathway to a lifetime of sailing that is carried on to future generations.
To thrive, sailing must grow participation in all areas and at all levels, while upholding the highest standards of excellence and fairness. At US Sailing, we are working on programs and services that align the sailing community and drive innovation within three key areas: access to sailing, training and education and competitive excellence.
And most importantly, we want sailors to have fun!
We also understand that local sailing organizations – yacht clubs, community sailing programs, sailing schools, class and owner associations, and event organizers are the foundation for the sport and central for the future, and the work we do must meet their evolving needs. We can only achieve our goals through a collective effort from all of us!
WATCH: "This is what we do"
- What does US Sailing do?
- How does US Sailing impact the sport?
- How does US Sailing enhance my experience on the water?
We answer these questions directly to the sailing community and our valued members in the "This is what we do" video series.
Expert Knowledge Share for Sailors
The US Sailing Blog debuted in 2017 with a line-up of subject expert sailors including Dave Dellenbaugh, Dave Perry, Anna Tunnicliffe, Malcolm Page, Tom Duggan, Bruce Burton, and others, sharing their knowledge and offering their observations on a variety of important topics.
US Sailing Education Zone at Extreme Sailing - San Diego
The US Sailing Education Zone provided fun learning activities for youth patrons as part of the US Sailing Reach initiative for STEM education and sport outreach. Through interactive and hands-on activities, children had the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics through the sport of sailing. US Sailing partnered with Mission Bay Aquatic Center, Sailors for the Sea, and Harken to create the Education Zone experience.
US Sailing's Reach at America's Cup Endeavour Education Station
The US Sailing Reach Initiative had a unique opportunity to participate in activities hosted by the 2017 America’s Cup Endeavour Education Station, presented by Orbis, during the 35th America's Cup. US Sailing’s Reach Initiative is an official “Educational Partner” of the America’s Cup Endeavour Program.
Back to School with US Sailing's Reach and Waterlust
US Sailing's Reach collaborated with Waterlust, a brand that creates inspirational media and sustainable products to support marine science research and education, to develop a series of "Back to School" Reach videos that break down the STEM in sailing!
Introducing Newcomers to the Sport: First Sail Takes Off
First Sail is a nationwide initiative created by US Sailing with support from sailing schools, community sailing centers, yacht clubs and other sailing industry organizations around the United States. First Sail offers a pathway to participation through resources, finding a place to learn and how to get started.
The First Sail Experience offers beginners an introduction to sailing in a casual setting and is offered by our growing list of First Sail Locations, who are fully committed to providing a memorable experience.
We now have over 170 participating First Sail Locations from around the country, more than double the number in 2016, who are introducing our sport to hundreds of beginners.
NSPS 2017 Takes on Austin
We want to extend our thanks to the 300-plus sailing leaders throughout the country who participated at the 2017 National Sailing Programs Symposium (NSPS) and the US Sailing National Conference last February in Austin, Texas. Your enthusiasm and positive energy was inspiring for us all.
We have archived many of the outstanding NSPS 2017 presentations online for your easy access. Please share these resources with your organization.
Sailing Contributors Honored at NSPS 2017
US Sailing hosted its first-ever National Coaching Symposium at Shake-A-Leg Miami in November. The symposium featured two days of workshops and hands-on sessions with a collection of the leading sailing coaches from around the country, including members of the US Sailing Team coaching staff. Team management, performance technology, and athlete development were among the topics discussed.
Sailing Leadership Forum 2018
You can make a direct impact on the future of sailing in the U.S. by joining over 600 fellow sailors in St. Pete Beach, Florida on February 1-3 for Sailing Leadership Forum 2018. The event schedule has been released and it features takeaways for all types of sailors! There will be over 70 presentations with over 100 industry leading presenters participating at the event. These learning sessions focus on increasing access to sailing and the overall growth of our sport, management best practices, safety education, what’s new in the world of technology and innovation, and creative thinking for modern challenges.
Registration sale ends Sunday, December 31!
Expanding our Online Education Offerings
Developed in partnership with Fresh Air Educators, a leading online education provider, US Sailing created Basic Keelboat Online, an online course designed to prepare aspiring sailors for on-the-water instruction. Basic Keelboat Online can be taken by anyone, whether preparing for an on-water course at a US Sailing school or for those interested in learning more about the sport. It works in conjunction with the Basic Keelboat course and is not a replacement for the certification.
US Sailing is now offering Safety at Sea education online through the Coastal Safety at Sea Course and the First Day International Offshore Safety at Sea Online Course.
Malcolm Page Takes the Helm of US Sailing Team
The hiring of Malcolm Page, US Sailing’s newly-appointed Chief of Olympic Sailing, marked a new era for US Sailing's Olympic Program .
Sailing Team Unveils new Logo for New Era
Behind the Team
Hear the voices of those that help American sailors reach their potential. The US Sailing Team, the national team of athletes hoping to win medals for the United States during the next Olympic Games, provides sailors with leadership, coaching, performance enhancement, physical and medical support, technical excellence, a global operational infrastructure, comprehensive communications coverage and much-needed financial support.
To help our national team perform on the water, we need to assemble a broad coalition of support behind our athletes. Consider supporting the US Sailing Team. Without friends and believers, our motivated, talented sailors could only reach a fraction of their potential.
Reineke Takes Gold In Enoshima As US Sailing Team Embraces 2020 Olympic Venue
US Sailing Team Laser Radial athlete Erika Reineke (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) won gold at the conclusion of a stormy Enoshima Olympic Week, the first large multi-class regatta to be held at the site of the Tokyo 2020 sailing competition during this Olympic cycle. Reineke was joined in Japan by eight other national team athletes, as well as coaches and support staff.
Three Medals for US Sailing Team at Aarhus Sailing Week
The US Sailing Team secured medals in three classes at Aarhus Sailing Week 2017 in Denmark, the test event for the 2018 Sailing World Championships. Aarhus 2018 will be a multi-class Worlds, and the premier Olympic-class sailing event held prior to the Games in Tokyo 2020.
Erika Reineke secured the silver medal in the Laser Radial and the team of Stu McNay and Dave Hughes also claimed the silver medal in the Men's 470. Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea earned bronze medal honors in the 49erFX.
USA Takes Two Gold, One Silver at Sanya 2017 Youth World Championships
Charlotte Rose won the gold medal in the Laser Radial, while Carmen and Emma Cowles placed first in the Girls I420. Thomas Rice and Trevor Bornath also secured a spot on the podium with a silver medal in the Boys I420.
World Cup Series Miami 2017 Caps Successful 28th year of North America's Premier Olympic Classes Regatta.
Over 400 competitors from 44 nations raced across the ten Olympic fleets in Biscayne Bay, Miami at the 2017 Sailing World Cup Series Miami regatta last January.
Stu McNay and Dave Hughes won their fourth Miami medal in the last five years, with three of those medals being gold.
US Sailing National Championship Season
The action was fast and furious at US Sailing National Championships for youth and adults. Champions were crowned and sailors made friends and had a blast on the water. We thank our many dedicated championship hosts for their efforts in providing a memorable experience for these talented sailors.
We worked hard and made some progress in expanding our coverage for these National Championships through advancements in live streaming through Facebook Live.
We are looking forward to an exciting 2018 US Sailing National Championship season. See you on the water!
Finalists Selected for US Sailing’s 2017 Rolex Yachtsman & Yachtswoman of the Year Awards
US Sailing announced the six men and eight women who have been shortlisted for the 2017 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. The all-star line-up of standout sailors hails from various disciplines from around the country and represents different stages in their respective careers. Many of these sailors were selected based on their consistent exceptional performances throughout the 2017 season and some were chosen for their signature win(s) at major international events. The winners will be announced in January!
Introducing the US Sailing Foundation
The US Sailing Foundation is the fundraising entity supporting US Sailing programs, initiatives and services through donor investment. The US Sailing Foundation is sharply focused on the future of sailing through investment in dynamic programs that expand access to sailing, raise the bar in training standards and foster competitive excellence at all levels of racing.
