Qualification for the 2016 US Sailing Team – Olympic Classes
1 All Olympic classes
1.1 The top eligible finisher in each class’ 2015 World Championship will qualify for the team with the #1 ranking and will be offered access to EAHI.
1.2 The top eligible finisher who did not qualify under section 1.1 and who also finishes in the top 50% of the fleet at the 2016 Sailing World Cup Miami will qualify for the team with the #2 ranking. All other eligible finishers will not qualify for the team but will be ranked in their class according to their finish.
1.3 Eligible athletes/teams who qualify for the 2016 Olympic Team who did not qualify under sections 1.1 or 1.2 will qualify for the team.
1.4 Discretionary Selection: eligible athletes selected by US Sailing based on the following criteria:
- Recent results in international Olympic-level competition
- Performance at the 2016 Sailing World Cup Miami
- Athlete/team plan for training and racing in 2016 with a goal of Toyko 2020, as approved by High Performance Director, Charlie McKee
1.5 In the event that an athlete/team qualifies for the 2016 Olympic Team without qualifying for the USST under section 1.1, EAHI will be transferred to that athlete/team from the athlete/team qualified under section 1.1.
2 Before being formally placed on the US Sailing Team, athletes who have qualified above must execute:
2.1 The US Sailing Team Athlete Agreement, and;
2.2 The Code of Conduct.
3 Athletes or teams that are placed on the US Sailing Team will have the option to execute the US Sailing Team Commercial Agreement Level 1 and Level 2.
4 Athletes or teams that have been placed on the 2016 US Sailing Team will be removed from the team if/when:
4.1 They resign from the US Sailing Team or retire from active Olympic class competition.
4.2 They are found in violation of the Code of Conduct by the OSC.
4.3 The 2017 US Sailing Team is selected.
5 The 2016 class rankings will be used as the selection event for any other event during 2016 that has restricted entry unless ISAF establishes a mandatory procedure or the OSC announces a different procedure at least sixty days prior to that event’s first day of racing.
2016 US Sailing Team Rio Fleet Priority Assignment
The 2015 priority assignments for use of the Rio fleet will carry over until the 2016 Rio Olympic Team is selected, after which the priority assignments will transfer to the 2016 Olympic Team members, should they be different from 2015 assignments.
2015 Direct Athlete Support (DAS) Details, Tasks, and Conditions
2015 Performance Pool Funding Conditions:
Funding from the USOC and OSC is earned through the combination of on-the-water performance and subsequently completed tasks.
| 2014 Eligible Events | 5 Points | 4 Points | 3 Points | 2 Points |
| 2014 Major Event | Top 5 | Top 10 | Top 20 | Top Half |
| 2014 World Championships | Top 5 | Top 10 | Top 20 | Top Half |
- To earn 4 or 5 points at a Major Event other than ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, at least 10 other athletes competing at that event must be currently ranked in the top 30 of the ISAF Rankings. Otherwise that event will be scored as a 3-point event.
- 2014 Major Events for this purpose are SWC Miami, Princess Sofia Trophy, SOF Hyeres.
- Students only can use Europeans results, if unable to compete in Palma or Hyeres and with HPD approval.
- To earn any points at an event athletes must also finish in the top 50% of finishers.
2015 FUNDING LEVELS (Based on 2014 Results)
Level |
Achieve the following |
Funding per athlete |
| A1 | Finish top 3 countries at World Championships | $60,000 |
| A2 | Score at least 13 total points counting best 3 events | $45,000 |
| A3 | Score at least 11 total points counting best 3 events | $30,000 |
| A4 | Score at least 8 total points counting best 3 events | $10,000 |
The funding for A1, A2 and A3 will come directly from USOC. US Sailing will fund A4.
Performance Bonuses
Major Event Bonus
Top 5 finishes at Major Events earn bonus. In 2015 Major Events are SWC Miami, Princess Sofia Trophy, SWC Hyeres, SWC Weymouth and Class Europeans. There is a total event bonus cap of $75,000. The bonus amounts per athlete are as follows:
Finish |
Per Athlete |
| 1st | $5,000 |
| 2nd | $4,000 |
| 3rd | $3,000 |
| 4th | $2,000 |
| 5th | $1,000 |
Bonus funding details:
- Any American athlete (as defined in the Additional Funding Details section below) is eligible to earn a bonus and they are paid separately to each athlete in double-handed classes.
- Bonuses for individual regatta will be prorated down proportionately if the regatta cap is reached.
- No more than three athletes or teams may earn a bonus in a given class at any individual regatta.
- Major Events subject to change pending ISAF decisions about SWC events. Any revisions will be posted as final by 12/31/14.
Enhanced Operation Gold Performance Bonus
At the 2015 World Championships the EOG bonus minimum amounts are as follows:
Finish |
Per Athlete |
| 1st | $5,000 |
| 2nd | $4,000 |
| 3rd | $3,000 |
| 4th | $2,000 |
| 5th | $1,000 |
- Any American athlete (as defined in the Additional Funding Details section below) is eligible to earn a bonus and they are paid separately to each athlete in double-handed classes.
- Bonuses will be prorated upwards proportionately if the entire Enhanced Op Gold pool is not awarded, however no individual athlete’s bonus will exceed $20,000.
Additional Funding Details
Eligibility
All prospective athletes must be a citizen of the United States of America (USA) or otherwise expected to be eligible to represent the USA at the Olympic Games.
Funding Discretion
Funding Guidelines are not an agreement to pay out grants. They are included for informational purposes. Actual awards may be greater or lesser depending on (1) the number of athletes in that class with qualifying results, (2) career results including prior World Championships, Olympic Trials, Olympic Games and other events, (3) continuity of team mates in double-handed classes (4) relative strength of qualifying results in different classes and (5) specific or extenuating circumstances including, but not limited to illness or injury.
Medical Absence
Athletes who are unable to compete in a given year due to a medical condition (i.e. pregnancy, broken bone, surgical procedure, etc.) may be considered for funding in the next year based on a grade achieved prior to the medical absence. The OSC will consider the situation and make a recommendation to the USOC for final decision, as it does with all USOC funding decisions.
Non-Medical Absence
Athletes may request consideration from the OSC for deferral of funding when away from competition for non-medical reasons (such as a one-year or multi-year rest following the Olympic Games). The OSC will consider the situation and make a recommendation to the USOC for final decision, as it does with all USOC funding decisions.
Athletes requesting deferral must supply the following information, and shall be aware of the following conditions:
- The level of past performance required to be considered for deferral of funding for non-medical reasons is:
- An Olympic medalist from the most recent Games; or
- A podium finisher at the most recent class Worlds; or
- Multiple top 10 finishes at major events (i.e. ISAF Sailing World Cup events, World Championship, Continental Championship) from the prior quad.
- A Quad-IAP must be completed and submitted to the HPD and MD for review and shall include an update on current physical fitness and future fitness plans, a complete training schedule detailing the number of training days and regatta days that are scheduled, and an explanation of crew composition. Preference will be given to continuity of crew composition.
- If time away exceeds more than one year from the conclusion of the most recent Olympic Games, athletes shall be aware of the following:
- A greater level of commitment must be demonstrated in the IAP when submitted for consideration.
- An athlete may receive reduced funding in the initial year, but then will be given the same opportunities as all other athletes for funding in subsequent years.
Split-up of Teams and Continued Funding
Both members of double-handed teams that change partners during 2015 may be allowed to continue to receive current year funding and carry their points already earned during 2015 forward with new partners in consideration of 2016 funding at the discretion of the OSC and USOC. Applications should be submitted to the High Performance Director and will be considered based on the plan and possibility for success with the new partner.
Changing Events
Athletes who switch from one Olympic Class event to another may be allowed to continue to receive their funding at the discretion of the OSC, and the approval of the USOC. Athletes may apply to have that grade transferred to another class in which they will begin training in for the 2016 Games. Applications will be considered based on the plan and possibility for success in the new class, and should be submitted to the High Performance Director.
Payment Schedule
Direct Athlete Support will be paid quarterly, based on successful completion of tasks. In all classes, the funding will be split evenly between skipper and crew. 2015 payments will be made as follows: Weeks of March 10, June 9, September 8 and December 8.
Operation Gold Funding
In addition to the above funding, USOC offers bonus awards for strong performances at the 2015 World Championships. The payment schedule is as follows:
| 1st place: | $5,000 per sailor |
| 2nd place: | $4,000 per sailor |
| 3rd place: | $3,500 per sailor |
| 4th place: | $3,000 per sailor |
| 5th place: | $2,500 per sailor |
| 6th place: | $2,500 per sailor |
| 7th place: | $2,000 per sailor |
| 8th place: | $2,000 per sailor |
2016 Direct Athlete Support Funding Details
Athlete results will be scored according to the following table of 2015 events, resulting in an overall grade for 2016 funding:
| 2015 Eligible Events | 5 Points | 4 Points | 3 Points | 2 Points |
| 2015 Major Events | Top 5 | Top 10 | Top 20 | Top Half |
| 2015 World Championships | Top 5 | Top 10 | Top 20 | Top Half |
- 2015 Major Events for this purpose are SWC Miami, Princess Sofia Trophy, SWC Hyeres, SWC Weymouth, Class Europeans.
- To earn points at an event, athletes must also finish in the top 50% of finishers. [may be waived depending on fleet size/competitiveness]
2016 FUNDING LEVELS (Based on 2015 Results):
Level Achieve the following:
Level |
Achieve the following |
|
| A1 | Finish top 3 countries at World Championships | |
| A2 | Score at least 13 total points counting best 3 events or finish within the top-10 countries at World Championships | |
| A3 | Score at least 11 total points counting best 3 events | |
| A4 | Score at least 8 total points counting best 3 events |
