USA announces team for Youth Olympic Games

Portsmouth, RI (June 2, 2014) – US Sailing today announced the sailing team that will represent USA at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games on August 16-28 in Nanjing, China. Henry Marshall (Auburndale, Mass.) and Maximo Nores (Miami Beach, Fla.) have been selected to the 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team, with Marshall racing in the Byte CII boys’ singlehanded event, while Nores will compete on the Techno 293 board in the boys’ windsurfing event.

Over 3,500 athletes will compete in 28 sports at the Youth Olympic Games, with all eligible competitors born between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 1999. Like the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games are held every four years.

“Young sailors experience tough international competition at the Youth Olympic Games, and US Sailing is proud to have Henry and Maximo representing the United States,” said Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing. “Both boys have worked hard to develop their skills and earn the chance to compete against the world’s best.”

Henry Marshall, 15, recently moved into the Byte CII class after competing in Optimist dinghies since he was seven years old. The move paid dividends almost immediately, as he finished 2nd at the 2013 Byte Worlds, and won the North American Championships in both 2013 and 2014. “I am very excited about going to China this summer,” said Marshall. “I’m confident that the level of competition will be high, which brings out the best in me. I can’t wait to compete. Representing the U.S. is an opportunity that motivates me and drives me every day.” Marshall credited intensive training against brothers Jack and Will Marshall for pushing his skills to a high level, under the supervision of longtime coach Christian Noe (Rosario, Argentina).

Maximo Nores, 14, is already a veteran athlete for his age, having competed in nine world championship events in several classes, and winning a North American title in the Techno 293. “I feel honored and proud to have been chosen to represent the country,” said Nores. “I’m very excited to visit China, and I want to thank my family and coaches for getting me to where I am today.”

Both Marshall and Nores noted that this selection has stoked their dreams about further advancement in the sport of sailing, and even future campaigns for the Olympic Games. “I want to continue to improve every time I sail,” said Marshall. “It has always been a dream of mine to do an Olympic campaign and I certainly hope I am able to fulfill that dream.” Nores agreed, saying that “This selection makes me feel like I’m [close to] that level, but deep inside I know I will have to work hard to get to the Olympics.”

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) allocated US Sailing with two athlete berths for the four sailing events at the Youth Olympic Games (male and female Byte CII, male and female Techno 293). Two regattas were used to qualify for consideration by the U.S. Selection Committee: The T-293 North American and Caribbean Continental Championships (Cancun, MEX) February 20-23, 2014, and the Byte CII North American and Caribbean Continental Championships (Martin County, FL, USA) February 27- March 2, 2014.

The U.S. Selection Committee was tasked to select the most competitive team to represent the United States at the Youth Olympic Games. Only one U.S. girl competed at a qualification event, which was in the Byte CII.

All nominations to the 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team are subject to approval by the USOC.

In addition to high-level competition, each competitor will also experience a special Culture and Education Program (CEP), based around five main themes: Olympism, Social Responsibility, Skills Development, Expression, Wellbeing and Healthy Lifestyles.

Youth Olympic Games – USA selection system

Source: Will Ricketson, Olympic Communications Manager