The many pathways to Olympic sailing success

by Dana Paxton on 19 Jun 2013 This summer young sailors will learn first-hand about the multiple pathways to Olympic sailing success as Olympians, medalists, coaches and leaders from the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program—such as JJ Fetter, Josh Adams, Andrew Campbell, Luther Carpenter and Leandro Spina—speak during 'Olympic Sailing Night', a series of speaking events held in collaboration with US Sailing’s national junior championship events.

The series began during the California International Sailing Association (CISA) Advanced Racing Clinic, in April, and included nights during the Inter-collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) National Championships and Sail Newport’s Brooke E. Gonzalez Advanced Racing Clinic. Full details are available on line here

'Central to our long-term strategy is building the base of high-performance sailors in this country,' said Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing. 'We feel that it is important young sailors with Olympic sailing aspirations hear first-hand how they can chart their own Olympic pathway. We have put together a knowledgeable slate of speakers, and look forward to meeting and working with the many youth sailors looking to represent Team USA in 2020, 2024 and beyond.'

In addition to the speaking series, sailors at US Sailing’s USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals will receive a 'Path to the Podium' poster outlining the various pathways in Olympic sailing. The poster focuses on three key stages, beginning with 'skill builders', the many junior classes and organizations across US Sailing that successfully draw thousands of young Americans into sailboat racing. The next critical stage features the six Olympic development classes endorsed by the Olympic Sailing Committee. The third stage is Olympic class training and racing at the level of US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. In its 17th season, USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals is a nationwide series of regattas for youth, ages eight to 21. There are 23 regattas slated for 2013 and over 4,000 sailors are expected to participate. Sailors can download the poster in PDF format here.

The four upcoming events are open to competitors at each of the youth championships. Regatta information, including a list of competitors, is available online.

Olympic Sailing Night 2013 Schedule
June 25, Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship – JJ Fetter

July 18, Beverly Yacht Club
U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship – Josh Adams
August 5, Houston Yacht Club
US Sailing's Chubb U.S. Junior Championships – Andrew Campbell, Luther Carpenter

August 13, Corpus Christi Yacht Club
U.S. Youth Sailing Championships – Josh Adams, Andrew Campbell, Leandro Spina

Josh Adams is the Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing, leading US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adams has an extensive background in Olympic sailing. As an elite competitor and member of the U.S. Sailing Team in 1995-96, he finished second at the 1996 Olympic Trials in the 470. He has been a member of the Olympic Sailing Committee since 2005. He was a three-time ICSA All-American at Tufts University, where he graduated from in 1994. Adams led his team to two ICSA Team Racing National Championships. He is also a Team Racing World Champion and was a sailor/coach for New York Yacht Club’s Young America’s Cup Challenge in 2000.

Andrew Campbell was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team in the Laser, and a member of the US Sailing Team in the Laser and Star classes (2001-2011). His career highlights include a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American Games (Laser); gold medal at the 2005 World University Games; and a gold medal at the ISAF Youth World Championship (Laser). He is the 2006 College Sailor of the Year and a four-time All American at Georgetown University, where he earned a B.S. in Foreign Service. Andrew is a professional sailor and coach, a member of the Olympic Sailing Committee, U.S. Olympic Sailing’s Youth Development Advisor and the director of the annual CISA Advanced Racing Clinic held in Long Beach, Calif.

Luther Carpenter has been an Olympic coach at US Sailing for over 20 years and attended six Olympic Games with Team USA. His Olympic coaching career started before the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games where he was the training partner for Charlie McKee and John Shadden, who went on to win a bronze medal in the Men’s 470. Since then, Carpenter has had a direct hand in Team USA’s continued success, including serving as coach to Anna Tunnicliffe when she won a gold medal in the Laser Radial at the 2008 Beijing Games. He serves as the Senior Olympic Coach for U.S. Olympic Sailing.

JJ Fetter competed as a skipper in the Women's 470 in two Olympic Games for Team USA. She won a Bronze Medal with crew Pamela Healy in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and a Silver Medal with crew Pease Glaser in Sydney in 2000. She is a multiple National, European and World Champion and is a four-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. JJ became a Board member of US Sailing in 2012 and is a member of the Olympic Sailing Committee.

Leandro Spina has been an Olympic coach at US Sailing since 2008 and currently focuses on the multihull program. During 2008-2012, Leandro coached the Star teams in the lead-up and at the 2012 Olympic Games. Leandro also serves as the Youth Development Director. He coaches the US Sailing Development Team, which most recently won three silver medals at the 2011 ISAF Youth World Championships.