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WELCOME TO THE HOME OF THE US OPTIMIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

We call it "ODP2"

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 SCHEDULE

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

2021-2022 PRACTICES

June 12-13 | Gulf Coast - Fairhope Yacht Club

July 10-11 | West Coaast - Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation

July 17-18 | Southeast - Key Biscayne Yacht Club

More practices in other regions coming soon!

REGIONAL RESOURCES

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, with 2 – 3 practices planned in each region, in addition to practices preceding USODA events. The National Optimist Development Program Director, Scott Lindley, along with a ODP2 Regional Coordinator from each region will coordinate the regional practices. The National Optimist Development Program Director will design a comprehensive curriculum for each of the regional practices to push the ODP2 sailors to the next level of their competitive sailing capabilities.

PROGRAM COMPOSITION

The ODP2 is comprised of up to 140 sailors with up to 20 sailors representing each of seven regions: the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, South Atlantic, Gulf Coast, Midwest and West Coast. Seniors may be invited to join the ODP2, but senior invites will not count towards the total team size. Eligibility for membership to the ODP2 program will be based upon results from Team Trials and a sailor’s designated region as determined by the sailor’s registered residential address as listed in such sailor’s membership profile with USODA as of the date of such sailor’s registration for Team Trials. A total of 15 invitations will be extended to sailors in each region. An additional 5 sailors per region may be invited by the USNT Committee. If the 15 invitation-only spots per region can not be filled, additional sailors may be accepted to fill all 20 available spots. Because sailors can progress dramatically in a six-month period, the ODP2 entry process may include the addition of sailors per region following the Spring Team Qualifier event.

PRACTICE VENUES & SCHEDULE

Regional Coordinators will arrange practices at venues within their region. 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.

ODP2 COACHING

Among the core elements of the ODP2 program is world-class coaching. The ODP2 Coordinators 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 Director- The ODP2 National Director is responsible for the overall professional leadership of the ODP2 and will create curricula for the ODP2 practices that will challenge sailors of all levels.

ODP2 Regional Coordinators- The ODP2 Regional Coordinators will be responsible for overseeing the regional practices and will serve as the primary contact point and liaison for each region.

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.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

All ODP2 members may attend practices hosted outside of their region (space permitting) creating lots of additional opportunities to train with fellow competitors under a variety of coaches.

The ODP2 regional coordinators will host member-only meetings at USODA regional regattas throughout the season.

Additional opportunities will be announced as the regional needs are identified by their coordinators. We welcome all regional feedback from the USODA sailors and their families.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

USNT/ODP2 Chair - Blake MacDiarmid -jbm207@gmail.com

ODP2 Vice-Chair - Katrin Mehler - katrin.mehler@me.com

ODP2 National Director - Scott Lindley - snipe8156@gmail.com

Gulf Coast Coordinator - Martin Borrallo - martinborrallo@gmail.com

Mid-Atlantic Coordinator - Pepe Bettini - mickeypep@yahoo.com

Midwest Coordinator - Marek Valasek - sail@glss.org

Northeast Coordinator - Luke Ingalls -lingalls99@gmail.com

South-Atlantic Coordinator - Scott Norman - normansailing@me.com

Southeast Coordinator - Juan Carlos Romero - juan@kbyc.org

West Coast Coordinator - Manny Resano - manuelresano10@yahoo.com

PREVIOUS SEASON's PRACTICES