Cory Sertl, President of US Sailing, joins us on the SDYC Sailcast to talk about US Sailing, World Sailing, equality in the sport, and her experiences sailing through the years.
The conversation begins with Cory and host Alli Bell discussing how Cory began sailing, starting in Rhode Island sailing Blue Jays. From there, Cory joined the University of Pennsylvania where she sailed against good friend Mary Brigden Snow from the Naval Academy. After college, Cory moved to Annapolis where she started a business selling sailing gear. Thats where she met her teammate Susan Deardorff who she sailed the 470 with.
“It was the opportunity back in 1985 when it was announced that where would be an event just for women in the Olympics in the 470,” said Cory.
Cory then went off to do an Olympic campaign. She talks about her memories going through the campaign process including her travels around Europe, her second place finish in the Trials, and her placement as Alternate for the ’88 Korea Olympics.
“Marching in the Olympic Stadium wearing the Team USA uniform is a pretty big highlight and really inspired me to keep going,” she explains.
After the Korea Olympics, Cory sailed two more Olympic campaigns. She talks with Alli about the roll that friendships and those that she met played in her sailing life. She mentioned her involvement with JJ Fetter and Pam Healy.
Cory has one year left of President of US Sailing and is beginning her four-year term as VP of World Sailing. She goes into more detail about how she is involved in World Sailing.
From there, the two discuss the challenges and opportunities in the sport including driving participation and delivering more access to sailing outside of yacht clubs. Cory explains some of the actions that US and World sailing are taking to make sailing more diverse, specifically gender equality. “By 2024 there will be the same number of men and women sailing events,” she says. She also mentions that the Olympics are currently 50% men and 50% women. From there she talks about how Sail GP is going a great job at making this idea of equality and diversity sustainable. For example, bringing on more coaches and instructors with different backgrounds to encourage sailing for all people.
The conversations ends with how Cory became involved as a leader in the sport, what she does for fun, and what’s on the horizon.