Independent Panel to Review U.S. Olympic Sailing Program

Byline: The Log Staff

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — US Sailing President Gary Jobson has appointed an independent panel to review the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program. Leading the panel will be US Sailing’s newly appointed managing director of U.S. Olympic Sailing, Josh Adams.             This new full-time position was created following the U.S. Sailing Team’s lack of medal wins at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, with Adams beginning his new duties Sept. 4.

US Sailing President Gary Jobson said, “After months of research and an extensive interview process, we are confident that Josh Adams is the right individual to take the U.S. Olympic Sailing program to the next level. His experience as a top competitor at the Olympic level and his all-around involvement with Olympic sailing makes him the ideal candidate for this position.

“As a coach, journalist and fundraiser, Josh is well connected to sailors through his various work experiences in the sailing industry,” Jobson added. “His primary focus will be the recruitment and development of young sailors with Olympic aspirations.”

Adams came to US Sailing following seven years as publisher of Sail magazine. He has an extensive background in Olympic sailing. Since 2005, he has been an executive committee member of US Sailing’s Olympic Sailing Committee. As a competitor and member of the U.S. Sailing Team in 1995-96, he finished second at the 1996 Olympic Trials in the 470.

“The challenge ahead for the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program is significant,” Adams said. “So is the opportunity.

“As it stands now, 40 percent of the classes in the Rio 2016 quadrennium will be new,” Adams said. “We need to lead our U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider to be performance-centric, to adapt quickly to the new boats, and to build depth in the established classes. At the same time, we need to commit ourselves to a sustainable youth development strategy. Building a program around performance and youth development is a goal that I look forward to leading.”

As a collegiate sailor, Adams was a three-time ICSA All-American at Tufts University, where he graduated in 1994. Adams led his team to two ICSA Team Racing National Championships. He is also a Team Racing World Champion. Adams was a sailor and coach for New York Yacht Club’s Young America’s Cup Challenge in 2000.

Adams is currently leading an independent panel responsible for reviewing the Olympic program, while being involved in the transition of leadership with current Olympic Sailing Chairman Dean Brenner. The panel will present their findings and recommendations to US Sailing’s Board of Directors and the Olympic Sailing Committee in consideration for the 2013 to 2016 Olympic quadrennium.

Members of the independent review panel are:
Ed Adams (Middletown, R.I.): Two-time U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Year for Sailing,?US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtsman of the Year in 1987 and 1991;

Andrew Campbell (San Diego):?10-year member of the U.S. Sailing Team in the Laser and Star (2008 Olympian in the Laser),?2007 Pan-Am Games Gold Medalist;

Jay Cross (New York):?1976 Olympian in the 470 for Team Canada,?member of America’s Cup Advisory Committee;

Andrew Kostanecki (Bridgewater, Vt.):?U.S. Olympic Sailing Committee chair for 1988 Games (five medals in eight classes)?US Sailing’s 2001 Herreshoff Trophy winner (outstanding contributions to the sport);

Bill Martin (Dearborn, Mich.):?Past US Sailing president and U.S. Olympic Committee president,?former athletic director at the University of Michigan;

Jack Mathias (Buffalo, N.Y.):?1976 Olympian in the Flying Dutchman, 1975 Pan-Am Games Bronze Medalist;

Jonathan McKee (Seattle):?1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in the Flying Dutchman,?2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist in the 49er;

Cory Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.):?US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year in 2001 and 1995?U.S. delegate to ISAF Council/chair of ISAF Youth World Championship Committee;

Tim Wadlow (Beverly, Mass.): Two-time Olympian in the 49er (2008 and 2004),?College Sailor of the Year in 1997 (three-time All-American).