US Sailing has announced a tiering structure for athletes. Three directors collaborated on the new pathway to integrate all levels of high-performance sailing from youth participants through the Olympic Development Program (ODP) on up to the US Sailing Team.
For the first time in US Sailing’s history, the three programs are formally connected through seven tiers. The new pathway is intended to place a commitment on putting athletes first by providing them with a clear understanding of selection procedures and entry opportunities.
High Performance Director Marcus Lynch, Olympic Development Director Rosie Chapman and Youth Racing Director John Pearce joined in shaping the new approach.
“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,” Lynch said in a statement. “This pathway is a continuous and clear trajectory for athletes and an investment in the talent that will make up our future Olympic teams. I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits of this effort come to fruition even beyond Brisbane 2032.”
Paired with new category titles, the US Sailing Team will continue to place 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 funding and resources from 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.
The US Sailing Team is the “National Team,” made up of the top sailors competing in the classes selected for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The roster is assembled according to selection procedures that are revised annually.