By Gary Anderson

October 22 - US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider Road to Rio tour gets underway next month in San FranciscoSome of America's top sailors will be visiting sailing clubs across the country over the next three years in the build-up to Rio 2016 as part of the "Race to Rio" national team tour, which is due to start in San Francisco next month.

St Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and the San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere will host the first of the tour events on November 7 and 8, respectively, which will see Olympian and 49er FX sailor Molly Vandemoer, RS: X sailor Marion Lepert, Finn class sailor Caleb Paine and 49er duo Fred Strammer and Zach Brown appearing in California.

"Yacht club support is critical to the success of US Olympic and Paralympic sailors," said Josh Adams, managing director of US Olympic Sailing.

"The national team tour will bring Americans closer to the experiences of US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes.

"Along the way, we aim to inspire the next generation of Olympians."

London 2012 Olympian Molly Vandemoer is one of the sailors taking part in the Race to Rio National Team TourLondon 2012 Olympian Molly Vandemoer is one of the sailors taking part in the Race to Rio National Team Tour





















































The "Race to Rio" is sponsored by Chubb Commercial Insurance, which has been offering specialised yacht club insurance for US Sailing members since 1999.

"Since many of the individuals who belong to these clubs also have homeowners and auto insurance with us, it makes sense for Chubb Personal Insurance to fly its burgee with the organisation that governs the sport of sailing," said Jim Fiske, US marketing manager for Chubb Personal Insurance.

The US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider programme selects the top sailors from the 10 Olympic and three Paralympic classes each year and provides these elite athletes with funding, coaching, training and on-shore support, and the programme is managed by the national governing body.

St Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco will host the first of the Road to Rio National Team Tour events on November 7St Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco will host the first of the Road to Rio National Team Tour events on November 7

























Each stop on the tour begins with a session exclusive to youth sailors where they can meet US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider athletes, before fans of all ages will have the opportunity to view a video showing how sailors are preparing for Rio 2016, followed by a question and answer panel.

Team giveaways and a photo/autograph session will complete the evening.

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