Olympic Development Program (ODP)
Guided by the strategic initiative "Project Pipeline," US Sailing's Olympic Development Program (ODP) provides world-class coaching support to promising American youth sailors in high-performance classes.
The ODP supports a number of programs including training camps, travel teams, and select regatta coaching. The ODP also manages Team USA for the Youth Sailing World Championship and Youth Olympic Games.
Youth World Classes (Under 19)
Olympic Class Development (Under 21 & Under 23)
- 49er, 49er FX, iQFOiL, Nacra 17, 470 mixed, ILCA 7, ILCA 6, Formula Kite
- Travel teams for select events
- Calendar
Athletes are encouraged to contact ODP Staff to discuss opportunities:
How to get involved
Youth Worlds Team (Under 19)
US Sailing and the ODP annually supports the US Youth Worlds Team (YWT) with YWT-specific camps, coaching, and logistical support.
TEAM SELECTION: Team members must qualify for the team each year based on their on-the-water results at predetermined qualifying events. Athlete selection procedures and requirements for the US Youth Worlds Team can be found here.
TRAINING: In years where the World Sailing Youth World Championship takes place in December, the three annual ODP Youth Training Camps will serve as the training events for the Youth Worlds Team. In years where Youth Worlds takes place in July, there will be an additional Youth classes training camp added to the calendar ahead of the Championship. In these years, the Youth Worlds team will also attend the US Youth Championship as a training event.
RUNNER UPS: The runner ups from each class in the Youth Worlds Qualification series are invited to attend the ODP Youth Worlds training events as training partners to the Youth Worlds team. These will act as training opportunities for the participating sailors to practice ahead of their own peak events for the year.
CODE OF CONDUCT: All athletes participating in the Youth World Championship and related training events must adhere to US Sailing's most up-to-date Code of Conduct.
Olympic Class Development (Under 21 & Under 23)
At its core, the ODP focuses on domestic training through camps, clinics, and US Open events. When an athlete has invested their time domestically and proven to embody the Olympic Class Sailor criteria listed below, they may be invited to join a Travel Team.
Travel Teams are selected annually based on class event schedules. Athletes who are invited to travel as representatives of the ODP are provided with event coaching by one of the ODP's top coaches, typically with a number of training days at the event venue in advance of the competition.
Calendars
ODP FAQS
WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS IF I DIDN'T RECEIVE AN ODP INVITE?
Reach out via the contact button at the top of this page and include your plans and goals, and our staff will be in contact shortly!
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A REGIONAL PROGRAM IN MY AREA?
Athletes who are not affiliated with a regional program should reach out to their corresponding class association (linked in the class listings at the top of this page), then contact ODP to learn if attending the camp is right for you. In your email, please include information about yourself, your current training plan (including fitness) and sailing goals. We will try to help you align with a regional program attending the clinic that can support your attendance.
WHAT NON-SAILING SKILLS WILL I LEARN THROUGH BEING INVOLVED WITH ODP?
Those who choose the Olympic path and develop the skills to succeed in this elite environment are prepared to lead. Olympians and campaigners become experts in sport and in life. Successful athletes must also develop communication skills, organizational skills, discipline, and accountability.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE
BEFORE ODP: The Olympic Development Program is only one stage in an athlete's journey. To find out more about what comes before ODP, visit US Sailing's Youth Racing Central and explore the Youth Performance Pathway.
AFTER ODP: Athletes who are training in Olympic Class Boats move from ODP to the US Sailing Team through qualification outlined here.
