To help the athletes gain more sailing experience at the highest levels, members of the team will travel to major international regattas worldwide and be supported by elite-level coaches.

US SAILING is currently accepting applications from sailors under 21 years old for the 2007 US Elite Youth Development Sailing Team. Team members will be selected by sailing resume and all applicants must be current members of US SAILING. Sailors interested in being considered for the team should email their sailing resume to US SAILING's High Performance Director Gary BODIE at olympics@ussailing.org. The application deadline is 1 February 2007.

'We strive to support our athletes who will compete in the Olympic Games, not only in 2008, but also in 2012, 2016 and beyond,' said Dean BRENNER, chairman of US SAILING's Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC). 'We are focusing on elite youth development, and initially on single-handed classes. Over time, our intention is to broaden this programme to include other Olympic Classes.