Briana Provancha elected to US Sailing's Sailor Athlete Council

Women's 470 gold for Anne Haeger & Briana Provancha at the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta © Onne van der Wal

Champion sailor Briana Provancha (Fort Myers, Fla.) has been elected to serve as an elected Sailor Athlete Director on US Sailing's Board of Directors by the association's Sailor Athletes.

As part of its role, the Sailor Athlete Council (SAC) nominates Sailor Athlete candidates, who are confirmed by registered Sailor Athletes, to serve on US Sailing's Board of Directors and other committees within US Sailing. The SAC ensures that active, high level athletes are represented within the governance of US Sailing and have an avenue to voice their opinions and have meaningful impact on the future and direction of our sport. Mandated by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the SAC Elections are held every two years to determine the SAC members.

The 2016 Olympian and four-time College Sailing National Champion is excited about the new role and looking forward to getting started. "I am extremely honored to be nominated for a position on the Board of Directors as a representative of the Sailor Athletes," said Provancha. "It excites me that US Sailing is providing opportunities for younger, active racers in the management of our sport, and it means a lot to me to give back to a community that has made such a positive impact on my life. I look forward to connecting with athletes across the many verticals in sailing to learn how we can further enrich our racing community and to making a positive contribution to the mission of US Sailing."

Provancha graduated from Boston College in 2012 with a degree in Marketing from the Carroll School of Management. In the spring of 2019, she participated in the Executive Education program at the Tuck School of business for elite athletes and military veterans transitioning to business. This two-week, selective program focused on leadership, strategy, business communication, financial analysis and spreadsheet modeling and is supported by the USOPC and their Athlete Career and Education program. Provancha currently serves as a marketing manager at Hertz.

As Provancha reflects on her competitive sailing experiences over the years, it motivates her to get involved and support sailor athletes around the United States through this new role with US Sailing. "US Sailing has been instrumental in providing a pathway for me as I have progressed through sport. It's been an honor to represent my country at several World and European Championships over the past fifteen years. The sailing experiences I've had would not have been possible without the programs and services of US Sailing, as well as the many people and volunteers who work hard to advance our sport. To each race committee, jury member and parent volunteer who has encouraged me and taught me important values of integrity and responsibility over the years - thank you!"

Provancha also expressed the importance of joining US Sailing as a member to help support and grow the sport of sailing in the United States. "If you are passionate about sailing and enjoy the community within our sport, I encourage you to support your national governing body and the athletes who represent our country. I take pride in the efforts of US Sailing to progress our sport, and it warms my heart to think about the number of sailors and youth throughout our country who are touched by US Sailing programs and services through my membership and support."

If you are an active racer on the national or international level, you may be eligible to register as a Sailor Athlete. All registered Sailor Athletes are entitled to vote for their SAC representatives and are eligible to be nominated and elected to the Council. The Council consists of up to 14 members and elections are held every other year. Make your voice count and register as a Sailor Athlete today.

Learn more about the Sailor Athlete Council.

Briana Provancha Sailing Resume:

Olympic Sailing

• 7th, 2016 Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 470 (August 2016)
• Gold, Olympic Test Event, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 470 (August 2015)
• Bronze, 470 European Championships, Aarhus, Denmark, 470 (July 2015)
• Bronze, Sailing World Cup Hyeres, 470 (April 2014)
• 4th, Olympic Test Event, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, (August 2014)
• 6th, 2016 470 World Championship
• 7th, 2014 470 World Championship

• 1st, 2012 ICSA Women's Doublehanded National Championship
• 1st, 2011 ICSA Match Racing National Championship
• 1st, 2010 ICSA Co-ed National Championship
• 1st, 2008 ICSA Team Race National Championship

• Gold, 2007 ISAF Youth Worlds, 29er
• Silver, 2005 ISAF Youth Worlds, I420
• Gold, 2007 European Championship, 29er