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A GOLDEN PARTNERSHIP
America3 Channels Resources towards US Olympic Sailing Effort
With the high profile of the recent America's Cup and the America3 Women's
Team, one of the best kept secrets in sailing has been America3's commitment
and support to the US Sailing Team as they prepare for the 1996 Summer Olympic
Games. America3, as the official Partner of the US Sailing Team, has dedicated
substantial resources and money since the beginning of the quadrennium in1993
and will continue to do so through the Olympics in Savannah next summer.
"Our goal in this relationship with the US Sailing Team," said
Bill Koch, the America3 Chairman, "is to increase America's odds for
winning Olympic yachting medals. Early on, we committed to a partnership
in teamwork, talent and technology. To this end, we are providing funding
and sharing as much research and material resources as we possibly can."
The Olympic Yachting Committee (OYC) estimates that - including coaches
salaries, funding of various programs and donations of equipment and manpower
- the monetary value of the America3 Foundation's involvement with the US
Sailing Team will be in excess of $1 million by next summer. "There
are many things," said Bill Shore, the OYC Chairman, "that you
can't put a price on, such as the shared research that has come from years
of America's Cup involvement. Moreover, we know that behind the U.S. Olympic
Committee, the America3 Foundation is the Team's largest supporter."
A substantial portion of the funding is allocated to coaches' salaries and
expenses. There are currently 5 full-time coaches and 2 part-time consultants
working with the 115 US Sailing Team members. "During the last quadrennium
we didn't have coaching available like the other national teams," said
470 Silver Medalist Kevin Burnham. "The coaching that is currently
available because of America3's involvement will not only have an impact
in Savannah but in future Olympiads as well." The implications of having
a higher coach-to-sailor ratio is obvious. It will also affect the team
is areas such as recruiting, class communications, ranking system development
and long-range planning beyond 1996. The Foundation has also funded an in-depth
sports psychology program with the renowned Dr. Jerry May.
Technology involvement includes oceanographic and meteorologic research.
"We've been collecting information on such things as wind and current
patterns for several years," said Shore, "and now support personnel
in these areas are stationed in Savannah to analyze data and conduct further
studies." A composite spar program for the Finn Class, which has recently
allowed carbon fiber materials in masts, is another manifestation of America's
technical resources being put to good use. A remote control overhead video
system, to analyze starts and boat positions on the race course from perspectives
never seen before, is also being tested. America3 has also provided a 42
foot powerboat tender and driver as well as computers and software developed
for similar needs in the America's Cup arena.
"We have an incredible situation here," said Dave Irish, President
of US Sailing, "where our reputation is already that of the one of
the world's best sailing nations. Then we gain the financial and technical
assistance of America3. Our position is one of which other nations can only
dream." Through America3's partnership in teamwork, talent and technology,
the US Sailing Team is quietly making great strides for gold in the XXth
Olympiad.
Scheduled to begin July 20, 1996, off Savannah, Georgia, the ten events
of the Olympic Regatta will run for about two weeks. In 1992 at Barcelona,
Spain, U.S. sailors brought home more Olympic Yachting medals--one Gold,
six Silver and two Bronze--than any other country.
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