US SAILING ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR ORGANIZATION’S
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Portsmouth, R.I. (July 6, 2006) – US SAILING, the national governing body of the sport, has announced its slate of nominees for its Board of Directors. Starting October 19, the membership of US SAILING will have the opportunity and responsibility to vote for its fellow members to serve them and the organization for the coming year. In addition, the organization’s Nominating Committee has announced that Jim Capron (Annapolis, Md.) has been nominated to serve as President.

This is the first time in the history of the organization that members can elect the members of its Board of Directors. In October 2005, US SAILING amended its Bylaws to restructure the organization and dramatically downsize the Board of Directors, from 49 to 14 members, making it more nimble and efficient.

Unlike the Board of Directors candidates, whom will be elected by the membership of US SAILING, the position of President will be elected by the Board of Directors. The nominee for President, Jim Capron, is a long-time sailor and is currently a US SAILING Vice President. Capron has served in various positions on different committees. He is a certified US SAILING Judge and Umpire, an ISAF International Judge and International Umpire, and a member of the ISAF International Judges Subcommittee. As an official, Capron has served as a judge and/or umpire at many international events, including the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup, Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Races, and the ISAF World Sailing Games. At US SAILING, Capron has been chairman of the Judges and Race Administration Committees and has served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors since 2001.

The Board of Directors plays a critical role in guiding US SAILING’s policy, programs, strategic planning, and overall fiscal responsibility. The slate of nominees for the Board of Directors is as follows:
• Running for a one-year term:
Dick Allsopp or Charles G. (Chuck) Hawley
Jim Tichenor or Robin Wallace
Susan Epstein (running unopposed)
• Running for a two-year term
Jerelyn Biehl or Amy Gross-Kehoe
David W. (Chip) Johns II or Dave Lumian
Bill Stump (running unopposed)
• Running for a three-year term
Tom Hubbell or John C. (Chris) Luppens
Patty Lawrence or Suzi Reese
Jerome Montgomery (running unopposed)

All of the candidates have been asked by the Nominating Committee to furnish a short biography and a brief position statement. The background information on each nominee was recently mailed to the membership and has also been posted on the US SAILING website at www.ussailing.org/BOD/election.

The election period for US SAILING's new Board of Directors will take place from October 19, 2006 through November 8, 2006. Each active US SAILING member is entitled to one vote; each family membership is entitled to two votes. To make it easier for everyone, US SAILING will accept votes via its website as well as regular mail. Printed ballots will be available upon request starting September 19, 2006, via two ways: 1) downloadable from the website or 2) by mailing a request to US SAILING at P.O. Box 1260, Portsmouth, RI 02871. Mail-in ballots must be received no later than November 8, 2006 to be counted. For questions, please email the Nominating Committee at electionquestions@ussailing.org.

The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

(End)