The mission of the United States Optimist Development Team (USDT) is to develop Team Trial Qualified sailors into top-level Optimist sailors by providing regionally-based opportunities for high-level practices with the top Optimist coaches.

• To enhance sailors’ development through intensive regional practices, providing detailed feedback and ongoing dialogue from coaches.
• To develop and prepare sailors for a future invitation to the US National Team.
• To create pathways for sailors to bridge to other classes of youth racing and potentially Olympic development teams.
• To create sailors well versed in the fundamentals of sailboats and sailing.

The Development Team season kicks off each year with team selection at Team Trials in late April or early May and runs through Team trials of the next year. Forty sailors will be selected from Team Trials, 20 from Spring Team Qualifier, and 15 by invitation to include sailors from less populated regions.

Each season there is a full practice schedule, with 5-6 practices annually, 2 planned international events, and team gear (woohoo!).  

The National Optimist Development Program Directors, MacKenzie McGuckin, and Scott Lindley, along with a Development Program Committee Chair, Cambrey Rogers, work together to coordinate all national practices and international events. The National Optimist Development Program Directors design a comprehensive curriculum for each of the practices to push the Development Team sailors to the next level of their competitive sailing capabilities.  

The Development Team is comprised of up to 40 sailors based on their finish at Team Trials. Seniors may be invited to join the ODP2, but senior invites will not count toward the total team size.  A total of 20 invitations will be extended after the Spring Team Qualifier regatta and 15 by invitation to include sailors from less populated regions.

* The USDT Committee also has the ability to add up to an additional 15 sailors to the team at any time to create a team that represents our country coast to coast.

Among the core elements of the Development Team is world-class coaching; striving to involve as many of the great active coaches in the US circuit as possible.  Here are the ones who have worked with our program since 2020:

National Optimist Program Directors- The National Director of Development are responsible for the overall professional leadership of the Development Team (DT) and will create curricula for the DT practices that will challenge sailors of all levels. 

USODA Coach's Council – This group was formed in 2015. It is an advisory board, comprised of coaches who have worked with the USODA over the years and who represent the geographical areas in the U.S. where the Optimist class has a strong presence. The Coach's Council creates stronger ties between the various programs and teams throughout the United States.  This council meets monthly to sync amongst each other.

Sailors joining the Development Team following Team Trials will be required to pay a membership fee of $450.  Sailors joining after the Spring Team Qualifier will be required to pay a membership fee of $350. There will be a predetermined registration fee for each practice based on location and various other factors for ODP2 members signing up for the practice.

Practice Refund Policy

• If a sailor cancels before the initial registration deadline, then they may receive a full refund, less processing fees.
• If a sailor cancels after the initial deadline, but before registration closes (within the "late fee" period), they may receive a refund for the practice fee less the $175 late fee.
• If a sailor cancels after registration closes, there is no refund since coaches have been confirmed, flights paid for, etc.

USODA CHAIRWOMAN - CAMBREY ROGERS; 

NATIONAL CO-DIRECTORS OF DEVELOPMENT - SCOTT LINDLEY & MACKENZIE MCGUCKIN