The U.S. Olympic sailing team has appointed two-time Olympic medalist Charlie McKee as its new high performance director. In this position, McKee, who won bronze in the 470 class in 1988 and the 49er class in 2000, will manage the on-the-water elements of U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, including coaching, technical development and youth development—all areas that were found wanting in the wake of the 2012 Olympics, in which the team came home without winning a single medal.
“I am honored to be a part of this effort,” says McKee, who is also a veteran of two America’s Cup campaigns and an accomplished foiling Moth sailor. “We plan to build on the good work that has been done previously, and work hard to give the athletes the support they need to succeed in the increasingly competitive environment that is Olympic sailing today…There are many different paths to athletic success, and we intend to work with both the elite-level and aspiring athletes to help them to achieve their goals.”
Photo courtesy of US Sailing
