23 Feb All-American Offshore Team Launched!
For Immediate Release: 1/26/2011
The All-American Offshore Team
The All American Offshore Team, with a mission to create seaworthy, high-performance, offshore training opportunities for the next generation of American ocean racing leaders was launched yesterday.
USMMA Sailing Foundation President and Offshore Sailing Coach, Ralf Steitz’ long-time vision for a youth driven effort in the sport of ocean racing was quickly endorsed by many individuals including Oakcliff Sailing Center, Storm Trysail Club, and the NYYC Trans-Atlantic Race Organizers, and as of today it is all systems go. The entry of a German Youth Team aboard the Andrews 56 Norddeutche Vermogen Hamburg in the 2011 Trans-Atlantic race was the catalyst that brought this vision to light, and the team is excited to match up against the German Team this July.
The initial event will be a no-excuses campaign aboard the STP 65 Vanquish for the 2011 Trans-Atlantic Race (Newport to the Lizard). Moving forward, the ambition is to generate the necessary funding to support a future racing schedule and provide continuing opportunities for young people to race on this team.
“Roy Disney empowered the core of this team and now we are honoring his memory by stepping up and taking a leadership role and helping create new ocean racing opportunities for other youth sailors”… Furthermore, “the merits of such a program are widely documented to provide an unmatched character building experience for the future sailors, leaders and citizens of the world” explained Steitz.
The core team has been formed and is actively soliciting resumes from young sailors and just as importantly seeking supporters to endow the program for today and into the future.
Program Overview:
Goals:
– Seamanship – Leadership
– Safety – Youth Participation
– Competition – Education
– Environmental Stewardship – Teamwork
Management Team for the 2011 Trans Atlantic Campaign:
Sailing Team Manager: Charlie Enright
General Project Manager: Mark Towill
Operations and Logistics Manager: Jesse Fielding
Boat Captain: Matt Noble
Technical Director and Navigator: Chris Branning
Crew Selection for the 2011 All American Offshore Team and Beyond:
The goal of the All American Offshore Team is to empower generations of youth ocean sailors. The team encourages all American sailors under 25 years of age to send their contact details and a sailing resume to AllAmericanOffshoreTeam@gmail.com. To be considered for the 2011 summer sailing schedule, please submit your information as soon as possible.
Trans-Atlantic Race Info: www.transatlanticrace.org
Email the team: allamericanoffshoreteam@gmail.com
Follow the team: www.allamericanoffshoreteam.org
Like the Team on Facebook: All-American Offshore Team
Media Inquiries: Jesse Fielding, (401) 741-3166