Olympic, Paralympic sailors to now train at Clearwater Community Sailing Center

Portsmouth, R.I. (March 7, 2014) – The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider has named Clearwater Community Sailing Center (CCSC) of Clearwater, Florida, an official US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider Training Center.

As part of its new role, CCSC will acquire three brand-new 2.4mR Paralympic keelboats, two SKUD-18 Paralympic keelboats, and four Laser Radial Olympic dinghies. US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes will be granted access to the venue and this equipment throughout the year, for both personal training sessions and full-team training camps.

With this new partnership, CCSC firmly cemented its place as a leading contributor in the U.S. effort to produce a winning national Olympic and Paralympic team, and to cultivate a more effective development pathway for future Olympians and Paralympians.

“Clearwater Community Sailing Center is providing a major shot in the arm to Olympic and Paralympic sailing in the U.S.,” said Josh Adams, Managing Director of US Olympic Sailing. “CCSC is committed to providing our team with a world-class venue and equipment to match. We are proud and excited to form a new partnership with such an energetic and forward-thinking organization.”

Training sailors is a mission at the heart of the original purpose of CCSC, which was founded in 2002 to foster local growth in the sport. CCSC has since become one of the largest community sailing organizations in the US, with over 60 boats in its fleet. “Our mission is to bring the sport of sailing to the people of Clearwater, and we are thrilled to now go a step further and help our national sailing team. This will be a great development for the community, and for the city,” said Frank Chivas, CCSC board member.

By entering the realm of high-performance sailing, CCSC has begun a new phase in its evolution as a program. “Clearwater Community Sailing Center is extremely honored in being recognized and chosen by the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider as an official Training Center,” said John Adair, Director of CCSC. “This is a wonderful time to serve our local sailing community, as well as our national community of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. We see all of the possibilities, and are proud to be involved with the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider in its effort to expand our wonderful sport.”

Beyond the new equipment that CCSC will soon provide to U.S. athletes, perhaps an even more significant contribution will come in the form of the pristine weather conditions found in the area, noted Rich White, Program Director for CCSC. “The world is going to have a chance to see what Clearwater sailors have known for a long time; Clearwater is the best place to sail!”

About the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider 

The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. The top boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class are selected annually to be members of the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. US Sailing helps these elite athletes with with financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing and communications support. The title sponsor of the team is Sperry Top-Sider; other sponsors include Harken and Team McLube. Yale Cordage is a team supplier. The US Sailing Center Miami is an Olympic training site. Oakcliff Sailing and Clearwater Community Sailing Center are US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider training centers. Chubb Personal Insurance sponsors US Sailing’s National Team Tour, a nationwide presentation program for US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes.

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org

About Clearwater Community Sailing Center
Founded in 2002, Clearwater Community Sailing Association(CCSA) was formed as a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization and does business as the Clearwater Community Sailing Center (CCSC). The non-profit was organized to relieve some of the financial burden from the city and provide credible sailing instruction to the local area. CCSC’s programs and outreach are funded through membership dues, class fees, storage, donations, and fundraisers. With more than 60 boats, CCSC is able to provide educational and recreational sailing, windsurfing and paddling programs to everyone regardless of age, ability or financial concerns. Members have no-charge access to the fleet after successfully demonstrating basic sailing skills. www.clearwatercommunitysailing.org

Source: Will Ricketson, Olympic Communications Manager