Strengthen, grow, and elevate the sport

The US Sailing Strategic Plan Overview for 2021-2024 expired a year ago, so it was overdue for the national federation to unveil its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. This follows a member survey in July that sought input to help shape the future of our sport. Here’s their announcement on December 8, 2025:

Developed through an inclusive, community-driven process involving sailors, coaches, volunteers, partners, and staff across the country, the plan paves a bold path for growing participation, enhancing member value, and achieving competitive excellence on the world stage.

The new strategic plan reflects a shared vision to elevate sailing at every level—from national grassroots participation to Olympic performance—while ensuring the sport remains safe, fair, and accessible.

“As the governing body for American sailing, our role is to both steward the sport and empower the people who make it thrive,” said Charlie Enright, US Sailing Chief Executive Officer. “This plan charts our course toward a vibrant, interconnected future where sailors of every age and ambition can grow, compete, and find community.”

A Vision for the Future of American Sailing

The 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is anchored in a mission to “Grow American sailing and achieve Olympic excellence through education, competition, and community.” Its foundation is built on US Sailing’s core values — Serve with Purpose, Act with Integrity, Inspire Connection, and Lead Together — principles shared across every corner of the sailing community.

At the heart of the plan are three strategic pillars:

1. Drive Operational Excellence
Strengthen organizational capacity and financial stability to deliver excellence across programs, services and stakeholder engagement.

2. Inspire the Sailing Community
Attract and engage the sailing community through meaningful experiences that inspire participation, connection and lifelong engagement.

3. Succeed on the World Stage
Leverage the United States’ strengths to develop a continuous pipeline of world-class athletes, driving greater international success with momentum toward consistent elite performance.

Strategies to Achieve Lasting Impact

To bring the plan to life, US Sailing will focus on:
• Modernizing member experiences and expanding digital learning and training tools
• Deepening partnerships with clubs, classes, and community organizations
• Strengthening the national athlete pipeline through collaboration across the high-performance ecosystem
• Empowering Team USA at the LA28 Olympic Games
• Investing in technology and organizational capacity to support efficient, high-quality service delivery

A Stronger, More Connected Future

This strategic plan sets the foundation for a thriving future in which American sailing is more inclusive, more competitive, and more connected than ever before. By aligning community engagement, athlete development, and operational excellence, US Sailing aims to ensure long-term success that extends well beyond 2028.

“This plan belongs to the entire sailing community,” Enright added. “Together, we will shape a stronger future for the sport and create opportunities for sailors everywhere to learn, grow, and excel.”

US Sailing would like to thank our external stakeholders for their meaningful collaboration and thoughtful input during our strategic planning process. This key group strengthened the quality of our work and helped ensure that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire sailing community.

External Stakeholders:
• Paul Callahan, Chief Executive Officer at Sail to Prevail & 2x Paralympian (2000, 2012)
• Chad Corning, Program Manager at Argo Racing
• Tom Duggan, Principal Race Officer
• Farley Fontenot, Founder of Quantum Sails
• Fred Hagedorn, Panam Sailing President and World Sailing Council Member
• Clare Harrington, Incoming Commodore at New York Yacht Club
• Steve Hunt, Professional Sailor and Coach
• Brad Read, Executive Director at Sail Newport
• Dawn Riley, Executive Director at Oakcliff Sailing Center
• Briana Searle, Olympian (2016)
• Stephanie Webb, Director of Programs & Community Sailing at Edison Sailing
• Greg Wilkinson, President of the Intercollegiate Sailing Association

Editor’s note: There is a reference above that input had been taken from across the country, and we trust it has, but near as we can tell, this list of 12 stakeholders has only two people that aren’t east of the Mississippi River.