Getting sailing back its core values

As an organization, US Sailing was smart enough to recognize they had a perception problem, so when filling the position of Chief Executive Officer, they hired someone with a good sailing story. Maritime insurance expert John C. Quigley knows about risk, and offers his view following the recent update from leadership:

Well done Charlie Enright, as the new CEO of US Sailing, leading from the front and taking time to assess and think, and letting the people know who he is, where he comes from and what motivates him. Many of us know Charlie but tens of thousands do not so it is useful to let them know he loves sailing as much, if not more, than them.

I am on the other side of the pond in Europe so US Sailing is none of my business, other than having a keen interest in seeing the community of sailing – as a sport / hobby / way of life – get back its core values everywhere:

• To help newcomers, who have not been lucky enough to be steeped in sailing since the cradle, understand that sailing is a community with old fashioned values and courtesy standards, which thinks and helps others without a second thought, and requires you to be aware and self-reliant. Rather like land life used to be once upon a time.

• For the youth development in the sport, ease off on the pressure, let them have a huge amount of fun and be gagging to go again, learning to sail instinctively rather than by playbooks, that can come later for those who want more.

I have worked with Charlie since he and his buddy Mark Towill turned up for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race – their first time – with the very steady hand of that great gentleman of sailing, Bill Erkelens, supporting their endeavors.

They were a great team and no wonder they did well. Along the way they faced a number of quite severe challenges and body blows, but handled them very professionally and came back for more.

Charlie will do great job if you all give him your support and honest input, setting aside self-interest and politics. Think what you can do for the community, not what the community can do for you – to paraphrase the words of a great man.