Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

US Sailing to drive resources & support for One Design Sailing

by US Sailing 20 Dec 2020 08:15 AEDT
Jake La Dow (left), Alex Curtiss (right) at 2020 Championship of Champions in Newport Beach, California © Tom Walker

In an effort to promote and grow one design participation in the United States, US Sailing has revitalized a committee to focus on supporting these sailors and this very important segment of our sport. The One Design Committee will be composed of diverse geographic and one design class members. Their mission will begin by addressing areas that have been identified as priorities for one design sailors and class associations.

In the fall of 2020, US Sailing circulated a survey to one design sailors and classes. The results of the survey identified three key areas where support is needed: organizing and coordinating content, fostering communication, and implementing data tracking.

The committee will approach these three areas by establishing task forces comprised of volunteers from around the country who are involved with one design sailing, either through class associations or as a sailor themselves. Regular meetings between the Committee and the task forces will be held, and progress reports will be delivered to US Sailing on a semi-annual basis.

US Sailing is optimistic that the committee and task forces will encourage a seamless exchange of information and assist in solving mutual challenges. US Sailing Adult Director, Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.) commented, "Now, we have in place a structure that allows a community of one design sailors to take the helm again and lead the charge to re-engage one design sailors. With the help of these sailors, we'll have a better understanding of what is important to them and how we can better serve this critical segment of our sailing community."

Leading the committee is Chair, Chris Snow (San Diego, Calif.). Snow is a professional sailor and coach who competes in many one design classes and is formerly the One Design Manager for North Sails NA. He will be joined by Vice Chair, Debbie Probst (Indian Rocks Beach, Fla.). Probst has a wealth of experience sailing multiple one design classes. She is also a past President of the Lightning Class Association.

"I am really looking forward to working with a great group of volunteers who have already stepped up to help along with my vice chair, Debbie Probst," said Snow. "Ultimately, we want this committee to help grow participation and create opportunities for one design class officers and sailors to interact and learn together to solve shared challenges."

In addition to Snow and Probst, 10 members will serve on the committee. These individuals are from areas that span the country and represent a broad collection of one design classes.

One Design Class Committee Members:

  • Chris Snow, Chair (California) - Etchells, J/70
  • Debbie Probst, Vice Chair (Florida) - Lightning, Laser
  • Clark Chapin, Advisor (Michigan) - Interlake
  • Dave Rosekrans, Advisor (Ohio) - Thistle
  • James Crabtree, Member (Missouri) - Flying Scot, Megabyte
  • Chrissy Hughes, Member (Minnesota) - E Scow
  • Fred Roy, Member (Rhode Island) - S Boat
  • Abby Ruhlman, Member (Ohio) - J/111
  • Colin Rupp, Member (North Carolina) - 420, Laser, FJ, J Boats, Melges, PHRF
  • Tucker Strasser, Member (California) - Laser, Lido 14
  • Gail Turluck, Member (Florida) - Sunfish
  • Betsy Alison, Staff Liaison (Rhode Island) - Multiple dinghy and keelboat classes
  • Nancy Mazzulli, Staff Liaison (Rhode Island) - Multiple dinghy and keelboat classes
For questions about the One Design Committee, contact US Sailing at .

For more one design information and resources, visit One Design Central, US Sailing's hub for one design resources.

Related Articles

US Sailing and Zhik announce strategic partnership
Zhik will provide cutting-edge gear designed to enhance athlete performance on the water US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with Zhik, global leader in high-performance water wear. Posted on 13 May
US Sailing Team set for the Paris 2024 Olympics
13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille Over the course of 12 days, 13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille for competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following a shortened runway of three years due to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games. Posted on 27 Jul 2024
Some thoughts on U.S. Olympic sailing
If you're a fan of US Sailing you're best advised to stop reading this editorial Caveat Emptor: If you're a fan of US Sailing, and specifically how the organization runs the U.S. Olympic sailing program, you're best advised to stop reading this editorial. Posted on 13 Mar 2023
Open letter from Paul Cayard
The Executive Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing writes from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing venue I am departing Japan today after absorbing the Olympic environment, observing our team in action and getting pointers from old friends who have been running teams in this game for decades. Posted on 5 Aug 2021
Fun is the key
We can create growth in sailing by helping people have more fun playing with sailboats The lessons of the past are still relevant today! This article excerpt was originally published in the July/August 1996 edition of the American Sailor. Posted on 29 Jul 2020
US Finn sailors set for 2019 Finn Gold Cup at RBYC
Three of the total 63 competitors will be representing the United States. On Monday, December 16, the last event of the 2019 Olympic class World Championships will begin with the 2019 Finn Gold Cup at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, in Melbourne, Australia. Posted on 15 Dec 2019
Hempel Worlds: New Doublehanded Offshore event
Mixed two-person offshore keelboat event will be on the program at the Paris 2024 Olympics For the first time in Olympic history, a Mixed Two-Person Offshore Keelboat event will be on the program at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition. Posted on 7 Dec 2019
US Sailing team leadership statement
A statement from US Sailing regarding the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program US Sailing and Malcolm Page, Chief of Olympic Sailing, announced that they have agreed to part ways. Page will be leaving US Sailing and returning to his home in Australia. Posted on 20 Sep 2019
2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami preview
30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay Racing will soon begin at the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami (HWCSM). This year marks the 30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay. Posted on 25 Jan 2019
US Sailing team takes on Olympic Qualifier
At World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark The official start of the 2018 Hempel Sailing World Championships is Thursday, (August 2) in beautiful Aarhus, Denmark. Over the course of 11 days of racing, 10 Olympic classes and kites will coexist on the waters outside of Denmark's second largest city. Posted on 1 Aug 2018
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitZhik 2024 DecembersMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZ