Portsmouth, R.I. (October 22, 2013) – The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider’s National Team Tour debuts Nov. 7 and brings the excitement of high-performance sailing and first-hand stories of Olympic and Paralympic campaigning to passionate sailors, young and old. The speaking series, which is sponsored by Chubb Personal Insurance, will visit yacht clubs around the country over the next three years in the lead up to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The tour will begin at St. Francis Yacht Club, in San Francisco, Calif., a Team gold-medal partner club. From there, the tour will head to San Francisco Yacht Club, in Belvedere, Calif., on Nov. 8. Athletes confirmed to attend include Olympian and 49er FX sailor Molly Vandemoer (Stanford, Calif.), RS:X sailor Marion Lepert (San Francisco, Calif.), Finn sailor Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.), and 49er duo Fred Strammer (Nokomis, Fla.) and Zach Brown (San Diego, Calif.).
“Yacht club support is critical to the success of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sailors,” said Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing (Essex, Mass.). “The National Team Tour will bring Americans closer to the experiences of US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes. Along the way, we aim to inspire the next generation of Olympians.”
Chubb Commercial Insurance has been offering specialized yacht club insurance for US Sailing members since 1999. “Since many of the individuals who belong to these clubs also have homeowners and auto insurance with us, it makes sense for Chubb Personal Insurance to fly its burgee with the organization that governs the sport of sailing,” said Jim Fiske, U.S. Marketing Manager for Chubb Personal Insurance.
Each stop on the tour begins with a session exclusive to youth sailors where they can meet US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes. Then it’s on to the main presentation, open to all ages, where fans will be treated to a video showing how sailors are preparing for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, followed by a question and answer panel. Team giveaways and a photo/autograph session complete the evening.
About Chubb Group of Insurance
Since 1882, members of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies have provided property and casualty insurance products to customers around the globe. These products are offered through a worldwide network of independent agents and brokers. The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is known for financial strength, underwriting and loss-control expertise, tailoring products for the needs of high-net-worth individuals and commercial customers in niche markets and select industry segments, and outstanding claim service.
About the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider
The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. The top boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class are selected annually to be members of the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. US Sailing supports these elite athletes with funding, coaching, training and on-shore support. The title sponsor of the team is Sperry Top-Sider; other sponsors include Harken Team McLube and Yale Cordage. Oakcliff Sailing is an official training center. Jaguar Therapeutics is an official fitness center.
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
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Contact: Dana Paxton, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, 401-683-0800, x615, danapaxton@ussailing.org