Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

NZ's Mark Littlejohn named US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider coach

by Dana Paxton on 8 May 2013
SW
US Sailing’s Olympic Sailing Program named Mark Littlejohn of Auckland, New Zealand as a coach of the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider.

Working directly with High Performance Director Charlie McKee, he will focus on accentuating the performance plan for sailors campaigning in Olympic singlehanded classes. From 2004-2008 Mark headed the Youth Olympic Project for Dutch sailing and then personally coached from 2008 to 2012 Marit Bouwmeester to an Olympic silver medal in the Laser Radial.

'As we dig deep into expanding the technical excellence of the U.S. Olympic Program, we aim to surround U.S. sailors with the best resources possible,' said McKee. 'There are few coaches who can match Mark’s reputation and success, and we are fortunate to have him on our team.'


Littlejohn has spent his career in singlehanded dinghies, both competing and coaching. In the lead-up to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., he served as a full-time training partner to Ben Ainslie (GBR) when he won his first of five medals, a silver medal in the Laser. In the next Olympic quadrennium, Littlejohn was a full-time coach to Shirley Robertson (GBR), who won her first of two gold medals in the Europe Dinghy at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, AUS.

'I’m pleased to join such a vibrant team of coaches,' said Littlejohn. 'My coaching philosophy is simple and one that has served well: Work hard, work smart and plan well. Everything that you do must underpin self-confidence and self-belief.'
US Sailing
V-DRY-XMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

Cape 31 European Championship in Palma day 1
Shotgunn opens strong on light-air first day The opening day of the Cape 31 European Championship saw the fleet head out full of anticipation, eager to get the event under way and make the most of the breeze forecast to arrive around midday.
Posted today at 5:50 pm
Allocation of entries for the 29er Worlds in Kiel
All countries will be allocated a minimum of three entries The 29er Class has not restricted entries for the World or European Championships in the past but due to the expected popularity of the Worlds in 2026 in Kiel we feel it is necessary to do an Entry Allocation. This is very difficult to do fairly.
Posted today at 4:45 pm
American crews join the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race
Sailors will weave around Sicily's dramatic coastline, through the Strait of Messina The 46th annual Rolex Middle Sea Race, a 606-nautical mile journey beginning and ending in the breathtaking Grand Harbour of Valletta, Malta, will set sail October 18, 2025 in an event hosted by Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Posted today at 4:43 pm
Exiting new product for METS
A+T Instruments is proud to be supplying instruments for some of the most advanced yachts The marine world gathers at METS in Amsterdam. A+T is proud to be supplying instruments for some of the most advanced new-build yachts. Watch the video to see how we can help you with your next project.
Posted today at 4:00 pm
A Day at the Allen Factory!
New and innovative products, cutting-edge manufacturing techniques The Allen factory, based in Southminster, Essex in the UK, makes many of the deck hardware and fittings that we use in our sailing, be that on dinghies or keelboats.
Posted today at 11:00 am
2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final day 2
The battle intensifies as the world's best close in on the crown Perfect trade-wind conditions returned to Ho'okipa today for Day 2 of the 2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final, delivering a full day of 5 Star competition as both the men's and women's draws charged toward Finals Day.
Posted today at 10:12 am
Fireball World Champion interview
Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler talk about their Olympic journey too After their close fought win at the Fireball Worlds in Garda we caught up with the Champions Yves Mermod and Maja Siegenthaler to find out a bit more about their Olympic journey and why and how they ended up competing for a Fireball Worlds in 2025.
Posted today at 9:05 am
Sam Haynes eyes third Rolex Sydney Hobart win
The CYCA Commodore and defending champion will return for the race's 80th edition Sam Haynes, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) and defending Overall champion of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, will return for the race's 80th edition.
Posted today at 6:27 am
The International Masters Regatta renamed
To honor late founder, Don Trask The 2025 International Masters Regatta, which as of October 14, 2025 has been officially renamed the Don Trask International Masters Regatta, is set to return to San Diego Yacht Club October 17-19.
Posted today at 5:57 am
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race Day 6
Counting down the miles The Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race (S2A) is now into its fifth day and the crews of two boats are counting down the miles to the finish line as they look forward to arriving into Auckland, thoughts turn to what they will do on arrival.
Posted today at 12:12 am