US Sailing Announces Olympic Sailing Leadership Restructure

US Sailing © US Sailing

US Sailing today announced an Olympic Sailing leadership transition that includes the conclusion of Marcus Lynch's tenure as High Performance Director and the appointment of Molly Vandemoer as Director of Olympic Sailing.

After two years of dedicated service, Marcus Lynch will be departing US Sailing. During his tenure as High Performance Director, Lynch made a significant impact on the advancement of high performance sailing in the United States and the continued progression of the Olympic Sailing pathway.

Lynch provided steady and effective leadership during a period of organizational transition, helping to modernize performance systems and strengthen alignment among athletes, coaches, and key stakeholders. He served as Team Leader for Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games, overseeing delegation preparation, coordination, and on-site leadership at the highest level of international competition.

In addition, Lynch led the establishment of the Performance Tier system, bringing clarity, structure, and accountability to athlete support, and played a key role in the development of selection criteria for the LA28 Olympic Games.

"Marcus brought exceptional professionalism, strategic clarity, and an unwavering commitment to our athletes and coaches," said Charlie Enright, CEO of US Sailing. "As Team Leader in Paris and as High Performance Director, he led with integrity, purpose, and care. His impact on our High Performance and Olympic Sailing programs has been both meaningful and durable. We are grateful for his service, he's become a good friend, and we wish him every success in his next chapter."

Building on this foundation, US Sailing announced the appointment of Molly Vandemoer as its new Director of Olympic Sailing. In this role, Vandemoer will lead the strategic direction and development of the US Olympic Sailing Program, overseeing athlete preparation, coaching alignment, and long-term planning as the team prepares for upcoming international competitions and future Olympic Games.

A 2012 Olympian in Women's Match Racing, Vandemoer was a member of the U.S. Sailing Team for more than a decade (2002-2015). Her distinguished competitive career includes two World Championship titles, a College National Championship, All-American honors, and a High School National Championship. She also represented the United States at the 1996 Youth World Championships and is a 470 North American Champion.

Prior to joining US Sailing, Vandemoer served as Executive Director of the Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation beginning in 2012, where she helped build a thriving and nationally respected youth sailing program.

Vandemoer currently serves on the C420 Class Board, US Sailing's Sailor Athlete Council, and World Sailing's Events Committee. She has also served on the US Sailing Board of Directors for the past two years, contributing valuable governance experience and an athlete centered perspective.

"Molly's leadership, competitive experience, and deep understanding of high performance sailing make her exceptionally well suited to guide our Olympic Sailing program," Enright added. "Her vision and expertise will be instrumental as we continue to elevate Team USA on the global stage."

"I'm honored to join US Sailing as Director of Olympic Sailing and excited to work alongside such dedicated athletes, coaches, and staff," said Vandemoer. "I'm committed to building a performance culture that supports excellence, teamwork, and sustained success."

Vandemoer's appointment is effective as of today. Lynch will be supporting a smooth and collaborative transition alongside Vandemoer. US Sailing thanks Lynch for his service and looks forward to the road ahead as the organization continues to strengthen its Olympic Sailing programs.