Nearly 100 Olympic Hopefuls Train at CISA Clinic in Long Beach, CA

Zhik CEO and Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Mat Belcher Makes Special Appearance 

CISA Clinic Recap 

LONG BEACH, CA (March 24, 2025) – With Paris in the rear-view mirror, 94 athletes with sights set on representing the Stars and Stripes took to future Olympic waters at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club for the prestigious 2025 CISA Advanced Racing Clinic. The group spent 12 hours on the water, enjoyed five presentations, and learned from 16 staff that included six Olympian coaches for three days of training March 15-17. 

The California International Sailing Association (CISA), established in 1971, supports amateur sailors by providing travel grants for regional, national and international competitions and funds local sailing programs and racing clinics. The CISA Advanced Racing Clinic isn’t just another training opportunity – it’s where the best youth sailors in the U.S. sharpen their edge against the toughest competition. Established in 1978, the clinic has built a legacy as the premier youth training event in the country. 

Designed as a true high-performance training camp, the CISA Clinic draws those aiming for the top of the podium. Sailors train alongside top youth athletes in North America in world-class sailing conditions with tailored coaching from Olympians, national champions, and elite class experts. The clinic lasts three days and consists of two clinic days and one final race day at the end to apply skills learned.

“I always come away from the CISA clinic just so excited for what the future holds for the next generation of athletes,” said CISA Clinic Director and US Sailing ODP Director, Rosie Chapman after her 4th CISA Advanced Racing Clinic. “The coaches were amazing and collaborated so well together, and I’m so grateful to everyone behind the scenes who support the spirit of youth development. Thank you to longtime host and world class venue, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, ABYC General Manager Susannah Pyatt Chapman, all of our coaches and presenters, and Mat Belcher from Zhik who not only shared his personal experience but also jumped in to coach and lend his thoughts. It’s another great CISA clinic in the books and we’re carrying this momentum to Los Angeles 2028!” 

2025 CISA Advanced Racing Clinic Staff

• • • Rosie Chapman, Clinic Director & US Sailing ODP Director 
    • Susannah Pyatt Chapman, Clinic Manager 
    • Luke Elliot, ILCA Head Coach 
    • Erika Reineke, ILCA Head Coach 
    • Paul Didham, ILCA Coach 
    • Sophia Reineke, ILCA Coach 
    • Mark Spearman, ILCA Coach 
    • Andrew Brown, i420 Head Coach 
    • Lara Dallman-Weiss, i420 Coach 
    • Briana Searle, i420 Coach 
    • Gabriel Sequeira, i420 Coach
    • Andrew Wood (Quantum Racing), 29er Head Coach 
    • Louisa Nordstrom, 29er Coach 
    • Tomas Di Luciano, 29er Coach 
    • B Lindsay, Data Analytics 

Presentations

• • • Regatta Mindset + Top Tips – Mat Belcher, Zhik CEO & 3x Australian Olympic Medalist 
    • SailGP Q&A – Taylor Canfield, USA SailGP Driver 
    • Sailors for the Sea – Lara Dallman-Weiss & Chloe Goodman 
    • Olympian Panel – Andrew Brown, Lara Dallman-Weiss, Hans Henken, Erika Reineke, Briana Searle 
    • Women’s and Youth America’s Cup – Louisa Nordstrom, Erika Reineke, Andrew Wood 

Race Day Winners

• • • 29er 
      • • Boys – Kevin Cason & Holland Vierling, San Diego Yacht Club 
        • Girls – Olympia Barelli & Maribelle Barelli, San Diego Yacht Club
    • i420 
      • • Boys – Gage Christopher & Colin Kennedy, ABYC / NHYC 
        • Girls – Harper Swezea & Lauren Choi, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club 
    • ILCA 6 
      • • Boy – Andre Deseau, West Vancouver Yacht Club 
        • Girl – Taylor Escola, SBYSF / SBYC 
    • ILCA 6 Development 
      • • Girl – Alexandra Bugacov, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club 
        • Boy – Liam Chattergy, Waikiki Yacht Club 

Those interested in applying for the CISA Advanced Racing Clinic 2026 should bookmark March 14-16 and keep an eye on @cisasailing on social media for reminders when application windows open at cisasailing.com in January 2026. Applications are due in February 2026 with acceptance notifications to follow later in the month.