TIMELINE

Scott raced and cruised the Chesapeake on a range of boats throughout his younger years, was a junior fleet instructor at both the Annapolis YC and Severn Sailing Association prior to entering St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he became the school’s first All American sailor (twice named). While in college and not on the water racing or cruising, Scott and sailmaking started in 1977, being his summer job while in college. At the same time, he was an integral part of several racing programs, racing on well-known boats with legendary sailors that he continues to sail with on occassion. Upon graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland as a two-time All American Collegiate sailor (first All American sailor from the renowed sailing program. The summer after graduating, another sport Scott enjoyed, Windsurfing, was named an Olympic Sport! Scott had taken a job with Mark Lindsay (ML Imports), and had to forgo the initial trip to Europe with the US Boardsailing Team that summer but did compete later in the year in Spain at the 1981 World Championships finishing 4th in his first trip to Europe. Scott made a commitment to make an Olympic campaign finishing with top 10 finishes in the next two Olympic Class Windglider World Championships, and in addition was victorious in the 1983 Windsurfer World Championships (over 300 competitors including many future Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalists). The track led Scott to the US Olympic Trials where he had to sail at a very high level to win the trials for an official spot on the 1984 team! Training for the Olympic Games led Scott to a high wind (and warm) venue in Corpus Christi, Texas with New Zealand competitor, Bruce Kendall and training partners from both the US and NZ. The preparation paid off as both Bruce and Scott found their way onto the podium in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Scott winning the Olympic Silver Medal and Bruce the Bronze. He continued competing and also coached numerous Olympic contenders and medalist (including 1988 Bronze Medalist, Mike Gebhardt), and eventually back on the racecourse earning another Silver Medal, this time in the 1990 Goodwill Games. He was honored with US Sailings Van Alan Clark Sportmanship trophy (for all sailors), as well as contributor of the year in the Windsurfing industry in 1990. Honors kept coming as he was named to the St. Mary’s College Hall of Fame, the Anne Arundel County (Annapolis area) Hall of Fame, and the Rhode Island (place of birth) Heritage Hall of Fame. Coaching would continue with Olympic team coaching opportunities for those training for the Atlanta Games as well as coaching Georgetown University until 1996. After nearly 10 years as a sales territory manager for Vanguard Sailboats, Scott entered the sail making industry and now has a loft in Annapolis. Selling sails to cruiser and racers alike, Scott also re-entered coaching as a way to pay if forward helping sailboat owners enjoy their boats and time on the water (whether cruising or racing). After raising 5 children in Annapolis, Scott has fully implemented Steele Sailing and Annapolis Sailmakers as an independent sail consultant selling nearly all of the name brands as well as his own and other smaller sail making companies. Scott can consult from a position that other representatives cannot. He offers a one stop shop whereby being in a position to bring options to the table that meet your needs and your budget. Please call, email or come on by the loft Steele Sailing shares with two other companies. We can sell you sails, canvas, accessories, repair and wash sails, set you up with rig modifications and of course is always ready to go sailing with you to either boost your results or ability handling and sailing your boat at higher level! We also offer common boat sail pricing for crosscut or radial cut dacron and laminate sails, offering excellent sails and pricing! Go to www.annapolissailmakers.com for instant quote.