Hi Mary

US Sailing and a select group of Yacht clubs need to develop centers of excellence for particular fleets of Olympic boats. The system should provide racing program, a head coach for the team and potential new members, and the facilities to keep your boat and train in a venue appropriate for the next cycle. You need to generate a critical mass of energy and expertise at one suitable location. Cross training works in other sports... Why can't Tornado sailors learn from 49ner sailors... They won't be able to unless they share a training facility. Sailors who are considering campaigns would then be able to relocate, join the club, and grow and participate in a real training program.... Perhaps these individuals take off and excell! ... It has to be better and cheaper then the haphazard system of coaching and training we use today. Nobody is winning a medal with a solo stealth campaign.. You need the proper environment to excel and the US Sailing center is not cutting it…

Two more points... note that our two medals were earned by sailors who were pushed extremely hard by other US Teams.... In Tornados, Robbie Daniel and Lars Guck each took a turn at being the best in the USA this last round... I have to believe that the competition for Johnny and Charlie helped with their success. I think the 470 team had one legitimate competitor in the USA as well. Without good competition… it’s difficult to get better?

Secondly, Consider the current status of the Miami Yacht Club, former host of the Olympic class Tornado Regatta in January.....Back in the day it served as a major center for tornado sailing.... Now.... they view the Tornado fleet as a royal PIA....In turn.... they make the venue completely worthless with silly rules. ... My favorite rule this year was the mandate... you can not bring your boat onto the property on the weekend.... It will be impounded and removed Monday morning... Sailors must arrive between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday. Obviously, they are not onboard with supporting Olympic sailing any longer!

Is this a pipedream?.... I don't know.

Take Care
Mark