Emily Verdoia: Inspiring Girls Through Coaching

When Emily Verdoia joined the University of Texas at Austin’s sailing team, she didn’t expect to end up as the Youth Sailing Lead Instructor and Office Manager at the St. Thomas Sailing Center in the Virgin Islands. Her love for sailing was reignited after a childhood as a competitive snowboarder when she joined the UT…Read More

Hispanic History Month: A Conversation with Mac Agnese

[caption id="attachment_40466" align="alignleft" width="474"] © Sailing Energy / FFVOILE[/caption] This Hispanic Heritage Month, US Sailing spoke with Mac Agnese, a sailor in the 49er class. Agnese is Argentinian, but grew up sailing mainly in the US, and has been sailing for most of his life. His sailing career is full of successes - Agnese won…Read More

Newport City Council proclaim day named after Clagett Coach Betsy Alison

[caption id="attachment_40423" align="alignleft" width="290"] Betsy Alison with Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong. Courtesy of Clagett Sailing[/caption] From Sam Crichton, Clagett Sailing Media Contact NEWPORT, R.I. (September 17, 2023) – Clagett Sailing coach Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I) has proved that it is perseverance and determination that results in a gold medal, taking home the World Champion crown…Read More

Five US Athletes to Compete at the 2023 Para Sailing World Championship

Five US Para Sailing athletes across four classes will be headed to The Hague, The Netherlands August 11 – 16 for the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships. This year is the first edition of the combined World Championships to include Para World Sailing events with the Hansa 303, 2.4mR and RS Venture classes featured.  The…Read More

There’s Never One Way: Blaire’s Sailing Story

Transgender - A broad term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be when they were born. “Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender.” – National Center for Transgender Equality Age/Name/Years on the water/pronoun 16/Blaire/6-7/they/them What was the first boat you ever…Read More

Nothing but the Wind: Meet Alejandro Carriazo

Gay - A person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. – Human Rights Campaign Age/Name/Years on the water/ location 22/Alejandro Carriazo/My whole life What was the first boat you ever sailed? What was the experience like?…Read More

Life is not a Dress Rehearsal: A Chat with Denise

Lesbian - A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves. Age/Name/Years on the water/location 61/Denise/4/Chicago What was the first boat you ever sailed? What was the experience like? A small sunfish-style boat on a 2 square mile lake in Vermont…Read More

Setting a Course for Freedom: Brooke McFarlane’s Story

Bisexual - A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual. - Human Rights Campaign Age/name/years on the water/location 31, Brooke McFarlane, 14 years, wherever the hook drops! What was…Read More

McKayla Bower Pursues Adventure

Throughout her life, McKayla Bower has been in pursuit of adventure. At a young age, she could be found playing in the forest, climbing the rocks in the front yard, or 40ft up an oak tree. So, it was only natural that when she was offered a boat in 2020, she dove head-first into sailing.…Read More

Finding Her Place: Alex Makoid’s Story

On the last day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are spotlighting Alex Makoid, a college sailor at Tulane University competing in the ICSA Open Fleet Race Championship, happening this week.  Makoid was adopted from China into a white family in Sag Harbor, NY. Growing up in a white family in a…Read More