The Medalist U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Sailing - Issue No. 8, January 2016
The Medalist newsletter is your source for updates on the US Olympic and Paralympic sailing program and the national team, the US Sailing Team Sperry. This is our path to the podium.
Contents:
- At The Helm: State of the Team, by Josh Adams
- Haeger Honored As US Sailing's 2015 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year
- 21 Sailors Named to 2016 U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Roster
- U.S. Olympic Athlete Selection Series Set to Begin In Miami
- Strong Performance By Youth Worlds Team In Langkawi
- Snapshots from the Campaign Trail
- News From Dockside
- New Team Store Arrivals
At the Helm:
These athletes deserve mention for their performances on the water in 2015, and the team as a whole gets credit for its commitment to a unified goal: Focus on Rio.
By Josh Adams, Managing Director of US Olympic Sailing
Haeger Honored as US Sailing's Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year
The Wisconsin native and US Sailing Team Sperry 470 athlete was honored as the top female American sailor after a breakout year on the Olympic circuit sailing with teammate Briana Provancha.
Winning gold at the Olympic Test Event was a major confidence booster, and it reinforced that if we can earn US Olympic Team selection we have a chance to medal at the Games. - Annie Haeger
200 Days to Go.
This August and September, US Sailing Team athletes will represent all American sailors on the world stage at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
But they can't do it alone. Here's how you can help:
US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, has named 21 of America’s best sailors to the 2016 US Sailing Team Sperry, the national sailing team. While the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams, which will be selected later in 2016, are selected every four years, the US Sailing Team Sperry is selected annually.
The first wave of sailors named to the team is comprised of American athletes in the ten Olympic and three Paralympic sailing classes who have performed well at last year’s world championship.
Rio 2016 U.S. Athlete Selection Series Set To Begin
For the first time in its 27-year history, Sailing World Cup Miami, Presented by Sunbrella (Jan. 25-30), North America’s premier Olympic and Paralympic classes regatta, will serve as the first of several regattas used to determine which athletes will become part of Team USA next August.
Americans Shine At Youth Worlds
The US Sailing Youth Worlds Team recently concluded a successful event in Langkawi, Malaysia, where American sailors secured a victory in the boy’s International 420 class and finished in the top ten in four other classes. Will Logue (Cos Cob, Conn.) and Bram Brakman (Darien, Conn.) earned the first American gold medal at the world’s premier youth regatta since 2007, though the United States has won seven silver medals and four bronze medals in that span.
Snapshots
From the campaign trail.
News From Dockside
Through the ODP, US Sailing has made a much-needed investment in youth development. I’m excited to bring my experiences and point of view to the table. I can’t wait to help the ODP grow and expand into a solid stepping stone for motivated athletes. - Molly Vandemoer
The Medalist
Support the team by getting your limited edition US Sailing Team Sperry bracelet today, made by new team partner Harrison+Pike.
Team Media Guide
PRESS CONTACT: Will Ricketson, Olympic Communications Manager - willricketson@ussailing.org, (401) 683-0800
COMMERCIAL INQUIRIES: Martha Pitt, Commercial Manager - marthapitt@ussailing.org, (401) 683-0800
Links:
Photography in this issue of The Medalist is copyright US Sailing. Contributing photographers in this issue: Onne van der Wal, Jen Edney, and Will Ricketson.