Calling for US Sailing resignations

With American sailors in an Olympic slump, two-time medalist JJ Fetter is calling for the resignations of U.S. Sailing’s CEO, president and any other board member who supports a federal lawsuit against a sailing foundation and three of its principals, including former Olympic team boss Paul Cayard.

Fetter’s letter, sent Monday (Feb. 26) to U.S. Sailing President Richard Jepsen and the board of directors, was obtained by The Associated Press. It offers the most pointed criticism yet of the governing body’s lawsuit against the America One Foundation, Cayard, William Ruh and Jose Spina. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island on Jan. 16, which many in sailing felt distracted from the recent Olympic trials.

Cayard, one of the United States’ most successful sailors, resigned as executive director of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team a year ago. U.S. Sailing’s lawsuit seeks damages from America One, which had been a partner and financial supporter but now focuses on directly supporting athletes. It’s the latest upheaval for a once-dominant squad that has faded to an afterthought on the world stage after winning just one medal in the last three Olympics.

When he stepped down, Cayard told the AP he couldn’t work under a restructuring that would have him focus on fundraising while someone else ran the team. When he left, many donors followed him.

Fetter said the current board of directors has “repeatedly mucked up” its responsibility as a national governing body to support its athletes. She said “the most egregious recent actions” were filing the lawsuit and promoting a link to a confidential U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee report on Cayard’s management style on its website and by email to its membership. – Full report

For the US Sailing Board of Directors, click here.

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program*:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 (41)
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 (41)
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 (19)
Men’s Skiff – 49er (20)
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX (20)
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class (20)
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class (20)
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL (24)
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL (24)
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 (19)
* Quota per event in parenthesis but does not include Universality Places (2 men, 2 women)

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9

Details:
• Paris website: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
• World Sailing microsite: https://paris2024.sailing.org/