USST: Malcolm Page (AUS) excused from further participation as Chief of USA Olympic Sailing; USSA CE

SAN FRANCISCO (#1214) – On Monday we learned that Greg Fisher had resigned as COO of the US Sailing Team. Today (Thursday) the media were advised that "US Sailing and Malcolm Page, Chief of Olympic Sailing, Agree to Part Ways." Even before your Ed. received the release (reprised below) we began getting phone calls from distraught USST members, and parents of same, about the news. Apparently team members had little if any advance notice, only an email just before today's press release. All characterized the move as a "sacking" by US Sailing of the affable Australian multiple-olympic medalist and world champion.

One hears from multiple sources that upon taking the job Mr Page (photo above) had been assured that US Sailing would mount a strong Olympic fund-raising effort, to the tune of $40 million, for the 2020 quadrennium and to kick-off 2024. Of course, funding for the USST has come nowhere near that level.

To the surprise of few, the results of the US Sailing Team on the international scene have been at best dismal. At the recent Olympic test event in Enoshima, Japan — the venue for the 2020 Olympic regatta — and the World Cup event that followed it, not a single USA entry finished in the medals (top three).

Needless to say this is a new low for US Sailing's leadership of the country's Olympic program. Obviously, a sad state of affairs — especially for the USA athletes impacted by this mess. Our hearts go out to them all.

More on Friday's TFE LIVE, as always on our Sailing Illustrated Facebook Page at 1300 Pacific / 1600 Eastern / 2000 UTC.

US Sailing CEO, Jack Gierhart.