FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Sailing Team Arrives in Long Beach, Setting Stage for LA 2028 Olympics
Containers’ Delivery at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club Marks the Start of the Team’s Preparation for LA 2028
BRISTOL, RI (November 5, 2024) – US Sailing has set up the first of several bases in Long Beach, marking the beginning of the team’s official presence in California as part of their preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This includes the arrival of two shipping containers at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, transported directly from the US Sailing Team’s Olympic home base in Marseille, France, for the Paris Olympics. The team will also set up shop at additional facilities yet to be announced. More information on the facilities will be shared when available.
“The investment in these team bases reflects the US Sailing Team’s commitment to creating a high-performance environment, while also establishing strong local ties in Long Beach,” says Marcus Lynch, US Sailing High Performance Director.
These containers, which had served as “bases” for both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, contain team meeting space, storage lockers, a workshop and offices to support the Team during their training and preparation.
Upon arrival, the containers were unloaded and positioned at Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, one of the US Sailing Team’s home base sites for the 2028 Olympic sailing venue. ABYC has an enduring partnership with US Sailing, including serving as the host of a US Open series in the Olympic classes each summer.
This marks the first step in securing a local training base for LA 2028 so that athletes may familiarize themselves with the local conditions in Long Beach, a crucial aspect of their preparation.
US Sailing staff including Marcus Lynch, High Performance Director; Rosie Chapman, Olympic Development Director; and Blaine Pedlow, Senior Vice President of Development, and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club personnel, were on-site to supervise the placement and organization of the containers.
“This is an exciting next step for the Olympic Development Program athletes, not only for Los Angeles 2028 but for Brisbane 2032,” said Chapman who just moved to the area full time to oversee operations and lead our development athletes in their training. “I am excited to have this home for all the US athletes and the role this will play in the development of our pipeline to a winning Olympic team. Long Beach is a world class venue and now it’s coming together with world class infrastructure.”
Over the next four years, the world’s high-performance sailors will shift their focus to Long Beach ahead of the LA 2028 Games. US Sailing is committed to partnering with World Sailing and LA28 to deliver an exceptional Olympics and is invested in being one of the key stakeholders on the ground to help deliver that experience for our athletes and their international peers.
By establishing a physical presence years in advance, the team is investing in not only the refinement of athlete performance but also in fostering deeper connections with the local community, ensuring that every aspect of their preparation—from equipment to environment—is optimized for Olympic competition.
“This delivery represents a pivotal moment in the US Sailing Team’s long-term strategy for success at the 2028 Olympic Games,” said Pedlow. “It underscores the team’s dedication to building a robust training infrastructure and tailoring their preparation to the unique conditions of Long Beach. I’m excited for US Sailing to enlarge its footprint on the West Coast and look forward to engaging with the sailing community in support of building a world-class team.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Chenard, US Sailing Team Media & Communications Coordinator
Email: allisonchenard@ussailing.org
For more information about the US Sailing Team, visit: https://www.ussailing.org/olympics/teams
For details about the sailing venue at the Games, visit: https://la28.org/en/games-plan/olympics/sailing.html
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About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), certified by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States, is dedicated to leading, advancing, supporting, and ensuring integrity in sailing at every level. Founded in 1897, US Sailing, now serving over 35,000 members as well as over 1,500 yacht clubs and sailing centers, offers training and certifications for sailors, instructors, and race officials, oversees national championships, manages offshore ratings, conducts regional and national events, and spearheads initiatives to increase accessibility. US Sailing also leads the training and development of the US Sailing Team for the Olympic Games and high-performance international competitions, providing comprehensive financial, logistical, coaching, technical, fitness, marketing, and communications support, as well as managing the Team USA athlete selection procedures for the Olympic Games. More at www.ussailing.org.