Menu
CLASS
My Account
Click below to view your account
RACING
NEWS
TEAMS
CLASS
ABOUT
WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE US OPTIMIST DEVELOPMENT TEAM
IMAGINE. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE.
BIGGER OPPORTUNITY > BETTER RESULTS
Building skills and raising the bar across the country.
TRAINING SCHEDULE
------ 2023 ------ 2023 ------ 2023 ------
March 8-9th - Sunshine State Pre-Regatta Clinic, Jensen Beach, FL
June 24-25th - OPEN DEVELOPMENT Clinic, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY
September 2-4 - USDT Practice #1, Annapolis Yacht Club, Annapolis, MD
September 26-October 2 - Bahamas Nationals (by Invitation only)
November 20-21 - OPEN DEVELOPMENT Clinic, Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA
December 8-10 - USDT Practice #2, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Key Biscayne, FL
DEVELOPMENT TEAM MISSION & GOALS
The mission of the United States Optimist Development Team (USDT) is to develop Team Trial Qualified sailors into top-level Optimist sailors by providing regionally-based opportunities for high-level practices with the top Optimist coaches.
To enhance sailors’ development through intensive regional practices, providing detailed feedback and ongoing dialogue from coaches.
To develop and prepare sailors for a future invitation to the US National Team.
To create pathways for sailors to bridge to other classes of youth racing and potentially Olympic development teams.
To create sailors well versed in the fundamentals of sailboats and sailing.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Development Team season kicks off each year with team selection at Team Trials in late April or early May and runs through Team trials of the next year. Forty sailors will be selected from Team Trials, 20 from Spring Team Qualifier, and 15 by invitation to include sailors from less populated regions.
Each season there is a full practice schedule, with 5-6 practices annually, 2 planned international events, and team gear (woohoo!).
The Development Team Program Director, along with the Development Team Committee Chair, work together to coordinate all national practices and international events. The Development Team Director designs a comprehensive curriculum for each of the practices to push the Development Team sailors to the next level of their competitive sailing capabilities.
PROGRAM COMPOSITION & TEAM SELECTION
The Development Team is comprised of up to 40 sailors based on their finish at Team Trials. Seniors may be invited to join the ODP2, but senior invites will not count toward the total team size. A total of 20 invitations will be extended after the Spring Team Qualifier regatta and 15 by invitation to include sailors from less populated regions.
* The USDT Committee also has the ability to add up to an additional 15 sailors to the team at any time to create a team that represents our country coast to coast.
USDT COACHING
Among the core elements of the Development Team is world-class coaching; striving to involve as many of the great active coaches in the US circuit as possible. Here are the ones who have worked with our program for several years:
| Scott Lindley | Arthur Blodgett | Juan Carlos Romero |
| Joakim Karlsen | MacKenzie McGuckin | Nico Wingard |
| Manny Resano | Martin Borrallo | Holly Murray |
| Luke Ingalls | Maru Urban | Peter Strong |
| Mitch Hall | Bernat Gali Bou | Ricky Welsh |
| Mike Dowd | Harrison Menzer | Wade Wadell |
MEMBERSHIP, PRACTICE FEES, & PRACTICE REFUND POLICY
Sailors joining the Development Team following Team Trials will be required to pay a membership fee of $500. Sailors joining after the Spring Team Qualifier will be required to pay a membership fee of $400. There will be a predetermined registration fee for each practice based on location and various other factors for ODP2 members signing up for the practice.
Practice Refund Policy
If a sailor cancels before the initial registration deadline, then they may receive a full refund, less processing fees or a $25 administrative fee, whichever is higher.
If a sailor cancels after the initial deadline, but before registration closes (within the "late fee" period), they may receive a refund for the practice fee less the $150 late fee, only if their spot can be filled by another sailor.
If a sailor cancels after registration closes, there is no refund since coaches have been confirmed, flights paid for, etc.