With American sailors in an Olympic slump, two-time medalist JJ Fetter is calling for the resignations of U.S. Sailing’s CEO, president and any other board member who supports a federal lawsuit against a sailing foundation and three of its principals, including former Olympic team boss Paul Cayard.

Fetter’s letter, sent Monday (Feb. 26) to U.S. Sailing President Richard Jepsen and the board of directors, was obtained by The Associated Press. It offers the most pointed criticism yet of the governing body’s lawsuit against the America One Foundation, Cayard, William Ruh and Jose Spina. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island on Jan. 16, which many in sailing felt distracted from the recent Olympic trials.

Cayard, one of the United States’ most successful sailors, resigned as executive director of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team a year ago. U.S. Sailing’s lawsuit seeks damages from America One, which had been a partner and financial supporter but now focuses on directly supporting athletes. It’s the latest upheaval for a once-dominant squad that has faded to an afterthought on the world stage after winning just one medal in the last three Olympics. – Full report

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program*:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 (41)
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 (41)
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 (19)
Men’s Skiff – 49er (20)
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX (20)
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class (20)
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class (20)
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL (24)
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL (24)
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 (19)
* Quota per event in parenthesis but does not include Universality Places (2 men, 2 women)

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9

Details:
• Paris website: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
• World Sailing microsite: https://paris2024.sailing.org/

Source: scuttlebutt – https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2024/02/28/calling-for-us-sailing-resignations/