Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - TOP

US Sailing's Winter Domestic ODP Training Camps hit midway point

by US Sailing Team 3 Jan 12:51 PST
ILCA 7 ODP Athlete, Ryan Squires, just off the starting line of a drill at the December 18-22 camp © Allison Chenard / US Sailing Team

The second training camp of US Sailing's winter domestic ODP season wrapped up just before the holidays, marking the halfway point. This camp was the first since the launch of the new tiering structure, which formally connects the US Sailing Team with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and the Youth Team. The final camp of 2024 took place December 18-22 out of Miami Yacht Club and the US Sailing Center for 66 athletes across six classes: ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Nacra 17, 470, 49er, and 49erFX. Consistent with all ODP camps, athletes were welcomed to a training oasis that prioritized time on the water and surrounded them with comprehensive resources to support an intense five days.

"We went live with the new pathway between the first and second camps, and next we'll notify athletes of their official tiers in January," said Rosie Chapman, Olympic Development Director. "These first two camps have been great to open the doors and welcome athletes pursuing Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 and they've been able to hit the ground running with a suite of resources that get them forming world class habits right at the beginning of the quad."

The camps aim to craft well rounded athletes by building their knowledge and habits in the fitness and wellness spaces in addition to time on the water. Each day began with either agility training, strength and conditioning, pick-your-cardio, or an activation and mobility session, then athletes made their way to their boat parks for briefings with coaches with the plan for the day ahead. The 49erFX fleet began camp with land drills to tune their footwork across the boat, and the Nacra fleet took extra care with their complex rigging systems to set the development athletes up for success. Coaches maximized time on the water then debriefed on shore before athletes were released for recovery with US Sailing Team Physiotherapists from Force Physical Therapy.

At the December 18-22 camp, ODP ILCA 6s and 7s were treated to a question-and-answer session with Paris 2024 Bronze Medalist Stefano Peschiera. Peschiera sailed under the Peruvian flag and brought home Peru's fifth Olympic medal in history in any sport but also spent a portion of his career sailing in the US at the College of Charleston. He shared his approach of how he balanced university and its hurdles with an unshakable pursuit of an Olympic podium, then sailed against the USA ODP ILCA 7s in their on-water training to help elevate the competition.

"I have been very impressed with how much everyone is learning and growing as a group and am very thankful for all the support staff on the ground and behind the scenes. Without them this wouldn't be possible," added Chapman.

"It's been an incredible competitive atmosphere, being able to spar together on the water and have the guidance of top coaches along the way," said ODP ILCA 7 athlete Ryan Squires. "The Team has done an incredible job adding resources for us- we've had a lecture series where we've been able to learn key points about managing our own campaigns and at the end of sailing each day, we're in recovery with the Physiotherapists. I've gotten to try ice baths for the first time, I've had my first massage, and used compression boots. The debrief sessions are also so impactful. Using the video and the Garmin data and being able to talk through everything as a group has been an incredible experience for me.

Bringing all these incredible resources together in a five-day timeframe is helping me grow exponentially and taking me to a whole other level in a short period of time."

US Sailing Team athletes and Olympians have been joining in the ODP camps, gaining training hours and resources themselves but also providing increased competition and passing on valuable insight to ODP athletes. Tokyo 2020 Olympian in the Women's 470, Nikole Barnes, contributed her thoughts following the second camp:

"ODP clinics are camps where talented sailors from around the country are brought together to train," explained Barnes. "In the past, ODP didn't hold a lot of meaning. Either you were on the US Sailing Team, or you weren't. Now I believe that the current leaders of the team are changing this culture and it's been very present at both the November and December camps so far. I love these camps because no matter how advanced you are, there is always an opportunity to learn and grow."

The final two domestic camps will run January 4-8 and 11-15 out of the US Sailing Center in Coconut Grove and Miami Yacht Club for 55 athletes. Explore the new pathway released December 12, 2024 here, and visit the new Teams landing page on the US Sailing website here to view each program in detail.

Related Articles

US Sailing Leadership Awards winners announced
The event recognized individuals and programs that have made a significant impact on the sport Last week in Coronado, CA, US Sailing honored the outstanding contributions of sailors, organizations, and industry leaders at the 2025 Sailing Leadership Awards. Posted on 10 Feb
Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards
Ian Barrows, Hans Henken and Cole Brauer honored US Sailing is proud to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards. Posted on 7 Feb
US Sailing announces finalists
For the 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards US Sailing is proud to announce the finalists for the 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards, celebrating the most outstanding performances in sailing by American athletes over the past year. Posted on 6 Jan
US Sailing Announces Nominees
For 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, is pleased to announce nominees for the 2024 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year, widely acknowledged as the premier individual sailing honors in the nation. Posted on 16 Dec 2024
US Sailing announces new Tiered Pathway with ODP
The new pathway integrates all levels of high-performance sailing US Sailing is announcing a comprehensive pathway and tiering structure for athletes with podium aspirations. Posted on 13 Dec 2024
US Sailing Youth & Olympic Development Programs
Over 200 athletes train on east and west coasts With most of the country settling in to welcome the holiday season, training efforts are ramping up in the Youth and Olympic Development (ODP) spaces. Posted on 7 Dec 2024
Selection system for 2025 Team Race Worlds
US Sailing announces the requirements for next year's event US Sailing, the National Governing Body for sailing in the United States, is pleased to announce the athlete selection system and requirements for the highly anticipated 2025 Team Race World Championship. Posted on 21 Nov 2024
Muller & Barnard elected as representatives
For US Sailing on Team USA Athletes' Commission On Friday, November 15, Luke Muller (Fort Pierce, FL) was elected as the next Team USA Athletes' Commission Representative for US Sailing, the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport. Posted on 19 Nov 2024
A refreshing new era of collaboration
For College Sailing and Olympic Development In the United States, college sailing teams and the Olympic Development Program (ODP) have a long history of pursuing the same group of athletes: those just out of high school and hungry for success in academics, sport, and for some, an Olympic podium. Posted on 17 Nov 2024
US Sailing announces Official School of US Sailing
The innovative K-12 global private school will support talented sailors The innovative K-12 global private school will support talented sailors through scholarships and a world-leading virtual learning platform Posted on 15 Nov 2024
Vaikobi 2024 DecemberArmstrong 728x90 - A-Wing XPS - BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM