Mission

The mission of the United States Optimist Development Program (ODP2) 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.

ODP2 TRAINING SCHEDULE

ALL ODP2 PROGRAM MEMBERS & USNT MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND PRACTICES IN ANY AND ALL REGIONS

2022 PRACTICES & EVENTS

----- 2022 ----- 2022 ----- 2022 ----- 2022 ----- 2022 -----

More coming after Team Trials!

----- PRE-TEAM TRIALS TRAINING -----

May 1-3 | @ Team Trials - Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club

* ONLY 5 spots left as of 5pm on 4/21/2022

Keep checking back to stay in touch with training in your area!

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER!

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The inaugural ODP2 season began in the late summer/fall of 2019 with a selection of sailors following 2019 Team Trials. The program renews each year following Team Trials, with sailors invited based on their performance at Team Trials.

Each ODP2 season is anticipated to include a full practice schedule. The National Optimist Development Program Directors, Scott Lindley and MacKenzie McGuckin, along with a ODP2 Committee Chair will coordinate the regional practices. The National Optimist Development Program Directors will design a comprehensive curriculum for each of the practices to push the ODP2 sailors to the next level of their competitive sailing capabilities.

PROGRAM COMPOSITION

The ODP2 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 towards the total team size. An additional 20 invitations will be extended after the Spring Team Qualifier regatta. The USNT 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.

PRACTICE VENUES & SCHEDULE

ODP2 members will be required to provide their own transportation to and from the practice and their own food and lodging during the practice.

The practice schedule for each season and region will vary and may look like:

Fall: Rig-setup, Tuning, and Kinetics (how the boat works)

Winter: Boat Handling & Speed

Spring: Starts and Strategy

The ODP2 training sessions will be similar to the logistics of a local regatta. The Sailors will commute back and forth or stay with their parents at the ODP2 practice location. The sailors will spend 2-3 full days on the water and in classrooms with the coaches and stay with their parents each night. Families will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner for their sailor. The hope is that sailor's travel expenses will be minimal due to the regional nature of these practices.

ALL PRACTICES ARE OPEN TO ALL ODP2 MEMBERS TO ATTEND. USNT members are also welcome to attend any ODP2 practice.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The ODP2 National Directors are working hard to provide international sailing opportunities for our Development Team sailors. More details on the location and selection of these teams to come.

ODP2 COACHING

Among the core elements of the ODP2 program is world-class coaching. The ODP2 Committee will work hard to involve as many of the great coaches active in the U.S. circuit as possible. The program will maintain favorable coach to sailor ratios to ensure that every sailor gets individual attention and meaningful, ongoing feedback.

National Optimist Program Directors- The ODP2 National Directors are responsible for the overall professional leadership of the ODP2 and will create curricula for the ODP2 practices that will challenge sailors of all levels.

USNT Coach Council – This group was formed in 2015. It is an advisory board, comprised of coaches who have worked with the USODA over the years and who represent the geographical areas in the U.S. where the Optimist class has a strong presence. The Coach Council creates stronger ties between the various programs and teams throughout the U.S.

MEMBERSHIP & PRACTICE FEES

Sailors joining the ODP2 following Team Trials will be required to pay a membership fee of $350. Sailors joining after the Spring Team Qualifier will be required to pay a membership fee of $250. 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.
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 $175 late fee.
If a sailor cancels after registration closes, there is no refund since coaches have been confirmed, flights paid for, etc.

ODP2 GEAR

Members of the ODP2 receive exclusively branded members-only items. The program registration fee includes an ODP2 tech shirt, hat, and gear stickers.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

USNT/ODP2 Chair - Cambrey Rogers - crogers@specialcoat.com

ODP2 Vice-Chair - TBD

ODP2 & Horizon Program National Co-Director - Scott Lindley - snipe8156@gmail.com

ODP2 & Horizon Program National Co-Director - MacKenzie McGuckin - m.k.mcguckin@gmail.com

PREVIOUS SEASON's PRACTICES