Project Podium Evening at Naples Yacht Club Inspired All

What does it really take to compete for an Olympic medal in sailing today?

That was the question hanging in the air at Naples Yacht Club as sailors, supporters and leaders of the sport gathered for an evening in support of a program built to give American athletes a real chance at earning a berth at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this was not a typical yacht club event. In the lobby, Olympic-level sailing came off the screen and into real life: a SWITCH, a 49er and iQFOiL rigged with Noah Lyons’ 2024 Olympic sail served as invitations to guests for a closer look and personally connect with the equipment and athletes chasing the dream. Exclusive videos brought the room to the water, introducing A1R Project Podium athletes pushing forward in their daily grind. Posters outlining every Olympic sailing class reinforced a powerful truth: the boats may have changed, but the demands placed on the sailors have never been higher.

“If We Expect Them to Fight on the Water, We Owe Them the Same on Shore”

Moderator and host Hap Fauth framed the evening with a perspective shaped by the sharpest edges of the sport, from around-the-world racing aboard Bella Mente to the pressure cooker of the America’s Cup. Fauth is determined to help generate support for Project Podium, raising awareness and funds for this important program.

“There’s no hiding from the work,” Fauth shared. “No shortcuts. No confusion about commitment.”

That clarity is why he believes in the A1R model behind Project Podium. Talent alone is no longer enough. Modern Olympic sailing demands professional coaching, shared resources, logistics, funding and trust – the same structure found in winning grand-prix and America’s Cup campaigns.

“These sailors are all-in,” Fauth said. “They are giving four, sometimes eight years of their life to earn the opportunity to represent our country. If we expect them to fight hard on the water, then we owe them the same seriousness on shore.”

A Panel That Spoke From Experience…and the Heart

The evening’s panel brought together leaders and legends whose words carried weight because they’ve lived the journey:

• Paul Cayard: One of the most accomplished figures in international sailing, he spoke powerfully about how Olympic success is never accidental; emphasizing that medals are earned through long-term commitment, disciplined preparation and structured support systems that allow athletes to perform under relentless international pressure.
• Doug DeVos: A lifelong sailor and accomplished business leader, DeVos underscored that talent only thrives when matched with strong culture, accountability and professional infrastructure. DeVos made clear that meaningful results require supporters willing to invest for the long term, not just the outcome.
• Noah Lyons: A 24-year-old iQFOiL athlete, 2024 Olympian and A1R Project Podium sailor, Lyons represents the next generation of American Olympic talent. Speaking from lived experience, he offered an emotional and grounded perspective on the daily realities of Olympic preparation, highlighting how Project Podium’s coaching, stability and shared resources allow athletes to focus fully on performance rather than financial survival.

They spoke candidly, and at times emotionally, about what it takes to reach the Games, the cost of falling short on support, and the responsibility of building pathways that don’t leave success to chance or privilege.

Olympic sailing, they emphasized, has always been about judgment, discipline and decision-making under pressure. Foiling classes like iQFOiL and Formula Kite are not a break from tradition; they are its logical extension. Faster. More physical. Less forgiving. With no room to hide.

Why Here. Why Now.

The 2028 Olympic cycle is already underway. With the Games on home waters, American sailors are more committed than ever. The question is whether the sailing community – and those inspired by it – are ready to match that commitment.

Through Project Podium and the A1R Foiling Pipeline, a clear, athlete-centric pathway now exists: one that identifies talent, provides world-class coaching and equipment, and supports athletes based on ability and dedication rather than financial background. Support from partners like the Sailing Foundation of New York, American Magic, the Schoonmaker Foundation, and the St. Francis Sailing Foundation has helped build the foundation. But foundations are only strong if people continue to invest in them.

The takeaway from Naples was unmistakable: A1R’s Project Podium is real, and it’s working. If you felt inspired by the evening, now is the moment to act. These athletes are already doing the work. They are already all-in. Backing them is how vision becomes reality.