2012 US Sailing Development Team
Mission
The US Sailing Development Team (USSDT) is qualified for annually, and supported and administered exclusively by the US Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) of US SAILING. The OSC’s mission for the USSDT is to develop sailors for Olympic-caliber competition and to prepare them for qualification to the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics (USSTAG) and the Olympic Sailing Team. The OSC will accomplish this mission by facilitating training and racing with and against the best national and international competition.
The USSDT is not designed to replicate the efforts of yacht club, high school, college or regional racing teams. The USSDT is designed to provide an elite environment designed specifically to prepare young sailors for the highly competitive world of Olympic sailing, with knowledge transfer and experience sharing that can only come from our Olympic coaching staff and athletes.
Philosophy
The OSC believes that the athletes most likely to succeed at the Olympic Games are more than just skilled sailors: They are independent, focused, and equipped to compete – physically, emotionally, and intellectually – at an elite level. Therefore, the OSC will support a team culture of shared training and information, coordinated effort, and independent athlete decision making. The OSC will show sailors how to work together to achieve better results and how to make key decisions at key moments, on their own.
Background
The US Sailing Development Team was launched in 2009 in an effort to bridge the gap between youth sailing and elite sailing in the Olympic program. Since the launch, US SAILING has annually re-evaluated the program to ensure the best system is being used to select the talent in the U.S. who will represent the USA at the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2020.
The US Sailing Development Team has enjoyed two very successful years of results. In 2010, we won three bronze medals at the ISAF Youth Worlds, our best performance in 18 years. In 2011, we improved on that performance with three silver medals.
The Future
For 2012, US SAILING will once again make some key adjustments to our Development Team to reflect the advancement of Olympic class sailing in the U.S. and the increased demand for participation from talented sailors across the country.
In 2012, we will divide our Development Team into two groups: the Olympic Development Team (ODT), focused on performance in Olympic Class equipment, and the Youth Development Team (YDT), focused on performance in the equipment used in the ISAF Youth World Championship.
Candidate Profile
The best candidates for the US Sailing Development Team are those with a passion for becoming an Olympic-caliber athlete, and who are willing and able to travel internationally to compete. By demonstrating the skill and commitment to train and compete at a high level, the ideal sailor is one who is independent, goal-oriented and focused on achievement.
The focus of the ODT is serious training in Olympic equipment, either as a full-time campaigner or on the path to becoming a full-time campaigner. The ODT will have collaborative training with the athletes on the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, under the tutelage of our Olympic class coaches.
Candidates for the YDT are particularly focused on success at the Youth World Championship and also may be considering a serious Olympic campaign within the next four years.
The 2012 US Sailing Development Team will consist of a maximum of 50 sailors, broken down as follows:
Olympic Development Team (ODT), maximum size of 30 sailors, target age of 16-24 years old:
29erXX, women – 2 teams
49er, men – 2 teams
Laser, men – 2 teams
Finn, men – 2 teams
Radial, women – 2 teams
RS:X, men – 2 teams
RS:X, women – 2 teams
Multihull, mixed – 2 teams (from Selection regatta in Florida – 2 in addition to Youth Worlds team)
470, men – 2 teams
470, women – 2 teams
Olympic Development Team Expectations: Athletes who qualify for the Olympic Development Team are expected to complete the following tasks in order to continue to receive team benefits, such as coaching, shipping etc.
1. Participate in at least two World Cup events in 2012 (in addition to Rolex Miami OCR).
2. Participate in the PET Camp in Chula Vista (March 8-11, 2012)
3. No less than 60 domestic training days
4. Participate in a professional physical training and nutrition program. Continued improvement to physical shape. Complete medical screening and physical assessments as assigned.
5. Fill out detailed schedule and periodization form on USSTAG.org, to be approved by the High Performance Director.
6. Execute and abide by the 2012 Athlete Agreement and Code of Conduct.
7. Submit, in writing by December 15, 2012, to High Performance Director and Olympic Director documentation of completion of all these tasks, including number of days sailed with details (how many days at a specific event or training camp).
Youth Development Team (YDT), maximum size of 20 sailors, target age of 14-18 years old:
Radial, boys – 2 sailors
Radial, girls – 2 sailors
I420, boys– 1 team
I420, girls – 1 team
29er, open – 2 teams
Techno 293, boys (regardless of sail size) – 2 sailors
Techno 293, girls (regardless of sail size) – 2 sailors
Multihull, open – 1 team (ISAF Youth Worlds team from selection regatta in Florida)
Youth Development Team Expectations: Athletes who qualify for the Youth Development Team are expected to complete the following tasks in order to continue to receive team benefits, such as coaching etc.
1. Participate in class World or European Championship
2. Participate in ISAF Youth Worlds (if qualified)
3. No less than 60 domestic training days
4. Fill out detailed schedule and periodization form on USSTAG.org, to be approved by the High Performance Director
Selection Process Selection will change from a resume process to a straight-forward regatta selection process.
US SAILING's High Performance Director may invite some sailors to join the team on a wild card basis with the approval of the Olympic Sailing Committee.
The selection for the 2012 US Sailing Development Team will take place at several events:
1. Olympic Development Team:
US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, FL, January 22-28, 2012 (except for 29erXX and Multihull). In each class, the top two sailors or teams not already qualified for USSTAG will qualify for the ODT.
Notice of Race is posted
49er, men – 2 teams
Laser, men – 2 sailors
Finn, men – 2 sailors
Radial, women – 2 sailors
RS:X, men – 2 sailors
RS:X, women – 2 sailors
470, men – 2 teams
470, women – 2 teams
29erXX, women – 2 teams at Florida Regatta, January 2012.
Multihull, mixed – 2 mixed teams at Florida Regatta, January 2012.
29erXX event information
2. Youth Development Team:
ISAF Youth Worlds Team Qualifier, ABYC, CA, January 14-16, 2012
Event information is posted under Selection
Radial girls – Top 2 sailors
Radial boys – Top 2 sailors
29er – Top 2 teams
I420 girls – Top 1 team
I420 boys – Top 1 team
Techno 293 girls – Top 2 teams (Top 2 athletes qualifies for YDT, top athlete with 7.8 sail for ISAF Youth Worlds)
Techno 293 boys – Top 2 teams (Top 2 athletes qualifies for YDT, top athlete with 7.8 sail for ISAF Youth Worlds)
Formula 16 (multihull) – Top age-eligible team at Florida Regatta, January 2012.
ISAF Youth Worlds Team Qualifier, Floriday, January 13-15, 2012
Event Notice of Race
In addition a sailor can sail his or her way onto the team by finishing on the podium (top three) at the following events:
470 Junior Worlds
49er Youth Worlds
Laser Standard Junior Worlds
Radial Youth Women Worlds
RS:X Youth Worlds
Finn Worlds (Gold Cup) - Top 3 Junior (19 and under)
Training Camps The Olympic Development Team will train with USSTAG athletes and work closely with the USSTAG coaching staff. Sailors on the Youth Development Team will have two training camps annually and will coordinate participation at international events. A full training schedule will be posted soon.
Kenneth Andreasen answers the top 10 questions about Development Team Selection here
Official announcement of 2012 US Sailing Development Team