e-USSAILING - Weekly Electronic Newsletter from US SAILING

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION AND PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN SAILING
January 3, 2007

Several '06 US SAILING Rolex Miami OCR champions will attempt to defend their title later this month

RECORD NUMBER OF SAILORS EXPECTED AT US SAILING'S 2007 ROLEX MIAMI OCR

Less than three weeks before the start of US SAILING's 2007 Rolex Miami OCR, event organizers expect the largest number of competitors in 10 years. As of today (Wednesday), 556 of the world's top Olympic and Paralympic class sailors representing 43 countries are registered to compete on the waters of Biscayne Bay from January 21 to 27, 2007. As the only International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade-One ranking event in the U.S. for competition in all 14 Olympic and Paralympic classes, US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR attracts elite sailors from around the globe. The event, with five days of fleet racing from Monday, January 22 through Friday, January 26, and one day of medal racing (for Olympic classes only) on Saturday, January 27, celebrates its 18th year in 2007 as one of the world's top competitions for sailors training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Saturday's medal races follow the new Olympic format lining up the top 10 teams in each class on the starting line on the final day of racing.
> Read the full story, view the entry list, and much more on the event website at http://www.ussailing.org/olympics/RolexMiamiOCR.

US SAILOR Of The Week
Jim Richardson

Jim Richardson

It’s not unusual that when you meet the winner of a world championship in a large class of boats sailed worldwide, that you find more championship titles in that skipper’s past. So here we have Jim Richardson, two-time winner of the Farr 40 Class World Championship, current class president, past nominee for US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, and owner of a Farr 40 and a Mumm 30, both called Barking Mad. Jim grew up on Cape Cod, first sailing Beetle Cats when he was about 8 years old. He then moved up to Cape Cod Knockabouts, where at a very young age he won that class’ “world championship.” It is no surprise that a competitive and well-respected sailor like Jim is a strong supporter of the U.S. Olympic sailing program, recently joining as a silver medalist. Jim and his Farr 40 Barking Mad will next compete in Acura Key West Race Week and we know his labrador Eloise will be cheering for him.

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED FOR COACHES OF THE YEAR AWARDS

US SAILING’s Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) seeks nominations for the 2006 Coaches of the Year Awards. The awards are a part of the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Coach Recognition Program which highlights the accomplishments and contributions of coaches who train athletes at all levels of sailing. The OSC will nominate sailing coaches in four categories: National Coach of the Year, Developmental Coach of the Year, Volunteer Coach of the Year and the “Doc” Counsilman Science Award. Nominations are accepted from the public until January 5, 2007, via e-mail at olympics@ussailing.org.
> For more information on how to make a nomination, please visit http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2006/coaches.htm.

KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR LEARNING SOMETHING NEW AT US SAILING SYMPOSIUMS

As we celebrate 2007, US SAILING is kicking off the new year with its National Sailing Programs Symposium (NSPS) and One-Design Sailing Symposium (ODSS) in New Orleans, January 17-21. With several hundreds of passionate sailors in attendance, along with many highly respected sailing companies such as presenting sponsor Vanguard Sailboats, the combined enthusiasm and energy of all promise to make the events spectacular. For sailing program organizers and one-design class organizers, the numerous different seminars will offer new ideas and approaches to all.
> Kick off the new year by learning something new at US SAILING's Symposiums and taking it back to your region to help continue to grow our sport. Visit http://www.ussailing.org/news/2006/symposiums.htm now for more information and to register online.

US SAILING LAUNCHES NEW ELITE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TEAM

US SAILING recently announced the launch of a new US Elite Youth Development Sailing Team. Created to provide a national coaching, educational, administrative, and financial support structure for young athletes who have been identified as future Olympic prospects, this team will consist of the country’s top youth sailors in the Laser and Laser Radial. To help the athletes gain more sailing experience at the highest levels, members of the Team will travel to major international regattas worldwide and be supported by elite-level coaches.
> Find out more about the US Elite Youth Development and how to apply by going to http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2007/eydt.htm.

US SAILING MEMBERS ENJOY DISCOUNT TO PHILLY BOAT SHOW

Get the most out of your US SAILING membership by making plans to attend the Philadelphia Boat Show and enjoy a special US SAILING member discount! Strictly Sail returns to the City of Brotherly Love for 2007, from January 18-21. The only ‘All-Sail’ indoor boat show on the East Coast and one of Sail America’s premiere sailing events returns to Philadelphia, featuring all the latest sailboats, accessories, gear and charter information from more than 250 exhibitors. Don’t miss your opportunity to start the 2007 sailing season early at Strictly Sail Philadelphia.
> Get your US SAILING discount for Strictly Sail Philadelphia.

WINNING TECHNIQUES

Learn techniques about sail trimming, sailing tactics, and race strategies, from one of sailing's most successful racing sailors, Lawrie Smith, with the Winning DVD. From the preliminary stages with the boat ashore, through the process of tuning afloat and finally into a race, this 60-minute DVD shows high-quality and close-up action.
> Visit http://store.ussailing.org now to order your copy of Winning. $20.50 for US SAILING members, $24.95 for non-members.

US SAILING NAMES 2006 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

US SAILING has selected five athletes as sailing’s 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Athletes of the Year for outstanding performance and achievement. US SAILING named Star sailor Mark Mendelblatt (St. Petersburg, FL) and Laser Radial sailor Paige Railey (Clearwater, FL) as SportsMan and SportsWoman of the Year, respectively. The Star team of Andy Horton (Newport, RI) and Brad Nichol (Lake Sunapee, NH) is the Team of the Year, and Sonar sailor Rick Doerr (Clifton, NJ) is the Paralympian of the Year. US SAILING has also nominated these sailors to the USOC for consideration for the overall USOC Athletes of the Year Awards.
> For more information, please visit http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2006/aoy2006.htm.

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