Miami, Fla. (May 14, 2013) – US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider announced an extension of its partnership with Jaguar Therapeutics of Miami, Fla., naming its new 3200 square-foot facility an official fitness center of the team. The company’s principal, Chris Herrera, was named the Team’s medical coordinator and head physical therapist. A sponsor of the national team since 2009, Jaguar Therapeutics has supplied physical fitness analysis, physical therapy services at major events and tailored training regimens for athletes. In addition to continuing access to these services, the fitness center is available free of charge to all U.S. Olympic and Paralympic class sailors campaigning for Rio 2016.

“Miami is the primary U.S. training location for Team members and it was important that we establish additional resources for athletes who make it their base,” said Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing. “As we expand our domestic training support for U.S. athletes, having a well-rounded approach to injury prevention and ongoing fitness improvements is a key component. We are fortunate to have someone as skilled and experienced as Chris managing the day-to-day fitness training geared specifically toward sailor athletes.”

A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of Miami (’07), Herrera (shown in photo by Walter Cooper/US Sailing) is a leader in the sports training and healthcare field as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and United States Weightlifting Performance Coach (USAW). As a member of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Performance Enhancement Team (PET) Herrera traveled with the 2012 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team and United States Olympic Committee (USOC) medical team at the 2012 Olympic Games, in London, England.

The center, a collaboration between Jaguar and the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program, is a comprehensive health care clinic with physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, Pilates, and a physiology lab. It features a full rehabilitative compliment of service and equipment, including the Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill with gait and running analysis, and return-to-sport strength and conditioning programming for athletes. Central to the center’s adaptive training capabilities is the Life Fitness Synrgy wheelchair roll-up system for band, medicine ball, cable and suspension training.

All of the equipment used at the U.S. team’s facility in England in preparation for the 2012 Games was shipped back to Miami for use in the new fitness center. The fitness center will display the new logo, shown at top.