How to Apply

1) Applications must be submitted online via the US Sailing website . You may apply in more than one fleet, but will need to submit separate applications. The application fee is $50 per application. The application must be submitted no later than midnight Eastern Time on March 15. NO EXCEPTIONS! 
    You must be a current US Sailing member to have your application considered. You must turn 16 and cannot turn 20 during the current calendar year. If you are 19 now and going to be 20 by the end of the year, you are ineligible. If you are 15 and will not turn 16 until next year, you are ineligible.
    Teams will be evaluated on their performance together as well as individual results. You should show evidence that the two of you have been racing together over the past year.
2) US Sailing Membership: Your member ID number can be found on your membership card. If you are part of a family membership, you will have a different ID number from your parents. Applying with your parent's membership number is not acceptable and you will be asked to re-apply.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may apply to the national chair for a waiver. You must have been a legal resident of the US for at least five years to request a waiver. Waiver requests must be received by March 1 - no exceptions.
To check your membership status, go to www.ussailing.org/directory/member.asp If you need your membership number, e-mail membership@ussailing.org.
3) Before you begin: Print out the worksheet. This lists many of the regattas the selectors use to evaluate applications. Review your past year's performance (March 15, last year to March 15, this year) and find out how you finished in the listed regattas. You aren't expected to have attended any of these, but if you have, you are required to include your results. You can easily find out about events that you've attended if they've been scored by Regatta Network by going to My US Sailing. Log in with your membership number and password and you will see a link for My Race Results. 
    In addition to the regattas listed on the worksheet, you will be asked to provide your three best regattas. These should be different from the regattas listed on the worksheet and should be from the past year. These events may already be included as part of the required list (in which case we have them) but we are really looking to see how you did in other regattas so it is of particular importance that you tell us about them. This is your chance to give us important information we might otherwise miss. There are many very competitive regattas that do not include many of your fellow applicants. This is particularly true if you are transitioning into the youth boats from other classes (such as the Optimist) or have only attended a few of the larger events. The selectors need to know if you did well in them! There may also be events that are not on the list that were very competitive and did include other applicants. It is good for the committee to know about these also. You should include for each:
    i) Name of regatta
    ii) Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
    iii) Number of entries
    iv) Number of races
    v) Your finish
    vi) Whether you were skipper or crew
4) Complete the application: Complete all requested information. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It's ok for your parents to check it over but it is not ok for your parents to fill it out - and we can tell the difference. Spelling counts.
    a) Both skipper and crew must fill out the resume and training sections of the application. Teams should fill out the application together with the helm's information listed first.  The crew's name and e-mail address can be listed.  If you hit E-mail Crew that will send the crew the link to complete his or her resume.
    b) Use your home address, not your school address. Provide an e-mail address that you check often and where we can send you information including over the summer. We will communicate directly with you.
    Once an application is complete, you will get an e-mail confirming your application. If you do not get an e-mail, your application is not received. If your application is marked Pending, it means that you or your crew have not completed all the necessary forms. Pending applications will not be considered. You can go in at any time up until the deadline to modify your application using the log in provided in your e-mail .  If your name is NOT there, it means your application fee did not go through.
5) Fees: Only the application fee (and membership fee if applicable) will be charged at the time of application. Make sure the name and billing address are correct for the credit card. Don't put your name if you are using your parent's credit card. The credit card will not be accepted and your application will not be complete. Entry fees will be collected after sailors have been accepted. You will be notified when and where to send these fees.
6) Birth Certificates or Passports: Send a copy only if you are asked.
7) Notification of Acceptance: Each applicant will receive written notification by e-mail in early May.  There are no pre-determined fleet sizes but a maximum of 150 sailors in total may be invited. A list of accepted sailors will be posted on the web site on or about May 1st. DO NOT call US Sailing or the host club to find out if you have been accepted.
8) Questions: send an e-mail to lizwalker@ussailing.org