Portsmouth, R.I. (December 3, 2013) – US Sailing’s Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) today released selection procedures for the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games, to be held in Nanjing, China, from August 16 to 28, 2014.
An elite sporting event for athletes around the world, the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing will showcase over 3,500 athletes competing in 28 sports. Athletes eligible for the sailing events in Nanjing must have been born between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 1999.
The Youth Olympic Games is held every four years, and featured sports mirror that of the Olympic Games. A unique aspect of the event is its focus on cultural enrichment and international relations, and in addition to world-class athletic competition, athletes will experience a special Culture and Education Programme (CEP), based around five main themes: Olympism, Social Responsibility, Skills Development, Expression, Well-being and Healthy Lifestyles.
“US Sailing sees the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing as a fantastic opportunity for top American youth sailors to gain experience in international competition and develop their skills,” said Josh Adams, Managing Director of US Olympic Sailing. “Our team will do everything it can to help the selected athletes prepare for the event and perform to their abilities.”
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has allocated two spots for American sailing athletes to compete in Nanjing, with four sailing events scheduled to take place: Male and female windsurfing, in addition to male and female dinghy racing. Windsurfing athletes in Nanjing will compete on Techno 293 boards, while dinghy sailors will use the Byte.
With two spots available for US athletes in four possible events, a special US Sailing Youth Olympic Games Selection Committee has been formed to select two American team members from a pool of eligible athletes. The committee will include Josh Adams, Managing Director of US Olympic Sailing, Andrew Campbell, 2008 Olympian and OSC member, and Ben Richardson, 2006 Pan American Games Team Member and Chairman of the OSC.
More information:
Link to Selection Procedures for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games (Sailing)
About US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider
The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. The top boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class are selected annually to be members of the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. US Sailing supports these elite athletes with funding, coaching and training. The title sponsor of the team is Sperry Top-Sider; other sponsors include Harken Team McLube. Oakcliff Sailing is an official training center.
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
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Contact: Will Ricketson, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, 401-683-0800, x621, willricketson@ussailing.org