From Paul Cayard, AmericaOne Foundation:
On Wednesday, February 4, US Sailing and AmericaOne announced a very exciting initiative, called Project Pipeline. I want to give you a little personal perspective on the initiative and pass along the link to the press release.
AmericaOne is a long time supporter of the US Olympic Sailing Team. Bob “Buddah” Billingham was a passionate Olympian, a Silver medalist, and A1’s representative who initiated this support and oversaw it. He served on the US Olympic Sailing Committee Board for many years.
Bob was excellent at identifying a need and then recruiting the support to make it happen. We all know that not only did Bob have great ideas, he would get them done!
Bob’s last target for improving US Olympic sailing was identifying our deficiency in the development of young sailors. As Bob’s cancer worsened, he asked me to take his place in working with the US Olympic Sailing Team on this important project. Sadly, Bob passed away last March.
In the last year, we have developed a plan to increase training, support and opportunity for the youth of America. Project Pipeline is about getting America back on the Olympic podium but also about raising the level of sailing talent in the US across the board.
US Sailing and AmericaOne are proud to launch this Project. The AmericaOne grant of $5M means Project Pipeline will be initiated immediately. It is our expectation that over the next 10 years, Project Pipeline will grow in breadth and depth, and that others will join in and support this worthy cause.
– Paul Cayard
Director, AmericaOne Foundation