For Immediate Release September 4, 2013

Contact: Blake MacDiarmid (561) 504-2796

Olympic Medalist and World Champion Lucas Calabrese Joins US Performance Academy Advisory Board MIAMI, FL - US Performance Academy announced today Olympic 470 Medalist and past Optimist World Champion Lucas Calabrese has joined US Performance Academy as a member of the Founding Advisory Board. A native of Argentina, Calabrese is considered one of the most innovative coaches in the world and a leader in talent development in youth sailing classes. I am excited to be part of setting a course for the future of this new school, said Calabrese. I understand the challenges of balancing academics, sailing and life, and I think USPA will help this new generation of racers experience more success in academics than ever before possible. Calabrese was lead coach for the Williford twins throughout their Optimist sailing career, which included wins at the US Team Trials, US Nationals, North American and South American Championships as well as multiple IODA World Championship teams. He also coached the U18 and U21 US Sailing Team in the 420 and 470 classes. Additionally, Calabrese has worked with national teams around the world including New Zealand, Korea and Hong Kong. Calabrese speaks English, Spanish and Italian and is well versed in international competition, travel and logistics. He brings real world experience with sponsors, national sporting bodies and mental and emotional development to USPA. Lucas is one of the innovators in a global paradigm shift to high performance sailing, said Blake MacDiarmid, USPA Co-Founder and Chief Performance Officer. I have worked with him for almost six years and have seen first hand how his holistic, integrated approach brings balance to the oftentimes chaotic world of racing sailboats and creates confident champions. What impresses me most about Lucas Calabrese is his interest in blending learning and academic innovation with his coaching, said Peter Smith, USPA Co-Founder and Chief Academic Officer. We are excited to include his successful outside the box approach to mental toughness, focused training and Olympic success in USPAs academic and performance culture. More about USPA: US Performance Academy is an independent, small school ecosystem of excellence, an environment combining the best in 21-century learning, the most

advanced classroom technology and an innovative, ultra-performance sailing program with Olympic-level training on Biscayne Bay and around the world. The school of tomorrow, today, USPA will include Miami classrooms and a global, individualized digital virtual learning with advanced College Prep 9-12 academics and Pre-G 6-8 programs. USPA students are empowered to perform at the highest level - and prepared for success in college classrooms, international racecourses and professional careers. Connect with USPA: Email: Web: Facebook: Twitter: Info@SmartSailor.org SmartSailor.org USPerformanceAcademy @USPAAcademy ###