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US Sailing Team Factoids

The America3 Foundation helps fund the US Sailing Team's coaching program and shares applicable America3 technology.

The U.S. is the undisputed leader in Olympic Yachting, with a total medal record of 48. 21 of the U.S. medals have been won over the last three Olympiads.

At the Summer Games in Barcelona, the 1992 US Sailing Team won more Olympic medals--one gold, six silver, and two bronze--than any other country.

Among all 1992 U.S. Olympic sports teams, only Athletics and Swimming had a better medal count.

The Olympic Yachting event debuted at the 1896 Games in Greece.

The U.S. won its first Olympic Yachting medals at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, taking gold in the Star and 8 Meter classes, and silver in the 6 Meter class.

The U.S. competed in the first Olympic Yachting events held in 1900, but not again until 1928. A Yachting Team has been sent to every Olympic Games thereafter, with the exception of 1980 when no U.S. Teams attended the boycotted Games in Russia.

The oldest Olympic class boat is the Star, which debuted in 1932 and has been sailed in every Olympiad since, with the exception of 1976.

In 1948 Hilary and Paul Smart were the first father and son in the same sport to win Olympic gold.

In 1984 Bill and Carl Buchan (father and son) were gold medal winners in different classes (Star and Flying Dutchman). Bill (at age 49) was also the oldest member of the entire U.S. delegation to the '84 Games.

In 1988 the first women's event was raced in the doublehanded division. (The U.S. team of Allison Jolly and Lynne Jewell won Olympic gold in the event.) In 1992, two additional women's divisions--singlehanded and windsurfer-- were added.

1992 marked the first-ever Olympic match racing event. Soling sailors progressed from fleet racing among 24 nations to match racing among the top six fleet finishers to determine the medal winners. (The U.S. team of Kevin Mahaney, Doug Kern and Jim Brady won Olympic silver in the event.)

For 1996, eight one-design class boats have been chosen for the ten Olympic events: Europe, Finn, 470, Laser, Mistral, Soling, Star and Tornado.

All eight classes are IYRU-approved (International Yacht Racing Union) for Olympic competition; have international organizations and controlled racing rules; and represent the best competition in the sport.

The term "one-design" refers to a class boats' strict standards for materials and methods used in construction. Ultimately, each Olympic boat-- built only by IYRU licensed boat builders to precise size and weight specifications--is identical to another in its class.

The purpose of one-design class racing is to allow the best sailor--not the best boat--to win.

For 1996, courses will likely be shorter with new spectator- friendly configurations. A simplified low-point scoring system is also likely to be used.

The 1996 US Sailing Team's major sponsors are Darlington Fabrics, Corp., Nautica, Rolex Watch U.S.A., and Sperry Top-Sider.