New pathway toward US Sailing Team

US Sailing has released a comprehensive pathway and tiering structure for athletes that integrates all levels of high-performance sailing from youth athletes through the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and onto the US Sailing Team.

For the first time in US Sailing’s history, the three programs are formally connected through seven tiers, delivering a transparent and well-articulated process. The new pathway illustrates a commitment to putting athletes first by providing them with a clear understanding of selection procedures and entry opportunities for each group.

“The US Sailing Team has been tiered and formally structured for a long time, but extending this concept down into the ODP and Youth programs is a big step forward for the American Olympic sailing movement,” said Marcus Lynch, US Sailing Team High Performance Director.

“This pathway is a continuous and clear trajectory for athletes and an investment in the talent that will make up our future Olympic teams, and I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits of this effort come to fruition even beyond Brisbane 2032.”

The plan was created under the leadership of Lynch, alongside Olympic Development Director Rosie Chapman, and Youth Racing Director John Pearce.

Paired with new category titles, the US Sailing Team will continue to comprise qualified athletes in tiers 1 and 2 (newly named “Podium Potential Athlete” and “Performance Athlete”). The Olympic Development Program will host tiers 3, 4, and 5 (“Performance Potential Athlete,” “Olympic Development Athlete,” and “Olympic Transition Athlete”) and the Youth Team will round out the pathway with tiers 6 and 7 (the “Youth Worlds Team” and “Youth National Team”).

Athletes on the US Sailing Team will continue to receive the highest levels of funding and resources made possible by US Sailing, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, partners, and donors. Additionally, athletes in tier 3 will receive resources that complement those going to athletes in tiers 1 and 2. – Full report