U.S. SailGP Team Partners With Spectrum Sailing To Expand Inclusive Access To Sailing For Autistic Youth
Collaboration brings U.S. SailGP Team athletes into Spectrum Sailing programs across the country
Published 03/24/2026
New York, NY – (March 24, 2026) — The U.S. SailGP Team today announced a new partnership with Spectrum Sailing, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive maritime education and sailing opportunities for autistic youth. The collaboration will bring U.S. SailGP Team athletes directly into Spectrum Sailing programs across the country while helping advance education and awareness around inclusion in the sport.
Founded in 2018, Spectrum Sailing has grown into a national movement for inclusive sailing. The organization has hosted more than 35 free sailing camps across the United States, serving over 700 autistic youth through programs designed with sensory-friendly curriculum, individualized support, and inclusive instruction. The three-day camps use sailing as a platform for participants to build confidence, independence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while forming meaningful connections with peers.
Throughout the 2026 season, members of the U.S. SailGP Team will join Spectrum Sailing camps across the country, with a presence across all 14 camps nationwide, to spend time with participants who are learning to sail for the first time. In small group conversations, athletes will share their own journeys in the sport and connect with campers about teamwork, perseverance and life on the water, while also helping introduce broader conversations around inclusion and how the sailing community can better support athletes on the autism spectrum.
“Sailing has given all of us on this team so much, and we believe it should be accessible to anyone who wants to experience it,” said Mike Buckley, Co-Owner, Team Principal & CEO of the U.S. SailGP Team. “Spectrum Sailing is doing meaningful work introducing young people to the water in a way that is thoughtful, supportive and inclusive. We’re proud to partner with them and help create more opportunities for children with autism to discover what’s possible in this sport.”
“Through our partnership with the U.S. SailGP Team, we have an opportunity to demonstrate that high-performance sport and meaningful social impact can move forward together,” said Scott Herman, Founder and Executive Director of Spectrum Sailing. “By educating sailors and the broader sailing community about autism and inclusion, we are helping shape a future where our sport leads, not just follows, in creating access and belonging for all.”
The season will conclude with a Spectrum Sailing regatta in October, celebrating the growth of inclusive sailing programs and the community built throughout the year.
Together, the U.S. SailGP Team and Spectrum Sailing aim to expand access to sailing and help build a more welcoming and inclusive future for the sport.
About the U.S. SailGP Team
Fueled by a new wave of world-class investors and owners from U.S. sports, entertainment, and technology, the U.S. SailGP Team is redefining American sailing on the global stage. Co-owned by Ryan & Margaret McKillen and two-time world champion sailor Mike Buckley, the team is led on the water by nine-time world champion driver Taylor Canfield. The Americans are one of 13 national teams in the Rolex SailGP global championship that races in iconic locations around the world using identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds approaching 60 mph. For more information on the U.S. SailGP Team, visit https://www.ussailgpteam.com/ and stay connected on Instagram.
About Spectrum Sailing
Spectrum Sailing is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive maritime education and sailing opportunities for autistic youth. Since launching its first program in 2018, Spectrum Sailing has grown into a national movement. To date, Spectrum Sailing has hosted over 35 free sailing camps across the country, serving more than 700 autistic youth to date. Our three-day programs are intentionally designed for every sailor to succeed, with a sensory-friendly curriculum, inclusive instruction, and individualized support. We use sailing as a platform for participants to develop confidence, independence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while building meaningful connections with peers.
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