Boosting development for future Olympians

The struggles of the US Sailing Team at the Olympic Games has much to do with the experience accrued for each athlete prior to their commitment to an Olympic campaign. As recent history shows, jumping off the cliff without a packed parachute doesn’t work well.

Seeking to change the paradigm is Oakcliff Sailing, Seawanahaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Windmark Sailing Foundation, Quantum Racing powered by American Magic, and SailGP that are joining forces to provide a comprehensive summer of training in Olympic Class dinghies in Oyster Bay, The Great South Bay, and New York Harbor.

This partnership is making Long Island the ultimate place for high performance training this summer.

Grant “Fuzz” Spanhake will bring his extraordinary experience and data analytical tools to provide coaching for three days at four of the five, Triple Crown Regattas. Due to the generosity of Quantum Racing, Fuzz will be on site for two days of coaching before and the first day of racing at Triple Crowns 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Fuzz has raced or coached for six America’s Cups, four Round the World Races, and six Olympic Games. Much of this time he was also the sail designer and/or trimmer.

“There are few people with a better combination of understanding the technical side of speed, practical tools to tweak a boat and the emotional intelligence to transfer this knowledge to the athlete,” explained Dawn Riley, Executive Director of Oakcliff Sailing.

This coaching is in addition to the longer, and more class-specific, Acorn Training Camps in Skiffs, Nacras, and ILCAs with Oakcliff and the 470 training with Windmark. The summer is designed to allow sailors to explore the different Olympic classes in a controlled, supportive and comprehensive environment.

As a special bonus, Oakcliff Trainees will be in the very front row and behind the scenes at SailGP. Trainees from High Performance Acorn 1 (June 4-12) who do Triple Crown Stage 1 (June 14-16) will be invited to stay on and serve as Course Marshalls on June 20-23 for New York SailGP.

While the summer is designed for most levels of dinghy sailors, the focus of the summer is mission-critical not only for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics but beyond. Collectively, prize grants of up to $450,000 will be awarded across the classes at Triple Crown regattas to assist athletes in launching their Olympic campaigns.

Finally, American Magic will connect the participating athletes with American Magic team members. Oakcliff graduates are currently on the American Magic and 2024 US Olympic Teams.

“We believe that every curious and driven sailor should be able to explore their options,” said Bill Sleeman, Ambassador for American Magic. “We are working hard to find the next Terry Hutchinson, Sara Stone, or Anna Tunnicliffe.”

All of these organizations are seeking to fill a void in the pathway to glory. Athletes are encouraged to register for the training and regattas , while supporters can donate to the cause. See detail below.

Register for the Triple Crown Regattas:
Stage 1: June 14-16, 2024
Stage 2: July 3-6, 2024
Stage 3: July 24-27, 2024
Stage 4: August 16-18, 2024
Stage 5: August 28-31, 2024

Details:
Register your interest to train or coach for the Olympics
Apply to train at Oakcliff
Support athletes

Background information:
• Grant ‘Fuzz’ Spanhake
• American Magic
• New York SailGP
• Seawanahaka Corinthian Yacht Club
• Oakcliff

For inquiries:
• 516 802 0368
• development@oakcliffsailing.org

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

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/