A Look at the 2011 Highlights as We Sail Into 2012
On behalf of everyone at US Sailing, we want to thank you for your support this year, and we are thrilled to have you sailing with us into 2012. We accomplished a great deal in 2011 and are in a good position to continue the momentum.
We are happy to report that despite the economic challenges facing the country, our programs are running well. We will finish the year on strong financial footing, and membership continued to grow for the second consecutive year. Working with the Board of Directors, our staff, and volunteers, we clarified our strategic goals for the next three years:
• Promote participation, education, opportunity and safety
• Raise standards and expanding competitive sailing in the U.S.
• Achieve success at the highest levels of international competition
• Strengthen US Sailing’s governance and organizational efficiency
You will be hearing and learning more about our goals and strategy as we fully embrace our new course in 2012. Thanks to our members, donors, volunteers, and partners, here are a few of our 2011 accomplishments:
• Launched the first-ever US Sailing Roadshow program, which made 49 stops, logged over 8,000 miles, and met over 17,600 sailors
• A total of 385 sailors from 185 clubs and associations attended US Sailing's inaugural Yacht Club Summit in Chicago
• Expanded the integration of science and math education in learn to sail programs for at-risk youth
• Assembled safety panels to investigate three tragedies on the water this year, and identified lessons learned and developed recommendations.
• Supported and funded disabled sailing programs, including the USOC’s Military Sailing Camp for disabled service men and women
• Over 3,500 young sailors competed in 25 sanctioned Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals
• Certified 1,700 new sailing instructors
• Record attendance of nearly 300 participants at the National Sailing Program Symposium, and over 50 percent of participants were first-time attendees
• Supported 44 PHRF fleets across the country representing over 12,000 boats and 100,000 sailors
• Over 1,340 Offshore Rating Certificates were issued
• 1,067 sailors were certified through US Sailing’s Safety at Sea Seminar program
• Nearly 1,300 Race Officers, Judges and Umpires were certified
• A total of 73 Race Administration seminars and workshops were held throughout the country
• Sailors from 37 classes were represented at the One-Design Symposium
• Nearly 1,000 sailing organizations benefited from The Burgee Program's comprehensive insurance coverage and premiums savings
• 18 yacht clubs and sailing organizations from around the country hosted national championship events for adult and youth racing sailors
• Funded scholarships for youth competing in national and international competition, and for those under the age of 35 who are participating in race official training education
• US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics won three medals overall in the 2010-11 ISAF Sailing World Cup final standings, and 18 medals total in World Cup events
• At the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, USA qualified nine of 10 Olympic berths for the 2012 Olympic Games
• The US Sailing Development team won three silver medals at the ISAF Youth World Championships, plus gold at the Laser Radial Youth World Championships
We hear from our members, volunteers and sailors about how we can improve the things we do and better serve the sport. We are listening, and we are excited to take on these challenges. We need to continue to update and modernize our core programs, address the changing needs of 21st century sailors and volunteers, strengthen our local connections and support for sailing organizations, and build strong pathways and connections to get and keep folks involved in sailing. US Sailing is all of us, and by working together we can accomplish great things.
Again from all of us at US Sailing, thank you for helping us achieve our goals this year. We wish you smooth seas and a wonderful sailing year in 2012. Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Jack Gierhart
Executive Director, US Sailing
* For an exciting look at US Sailing in 2011, watch the highlight video.
* Read the Staff Report for a full wrap-up on 2011.