It was quite a shock when the United States failed to earn a single medal in sailing at the 2012 Olympic games in London.

After all, Americans had dominated the sport on the Olympic stage, winning more medals (59) than any other country.

Changes were in order and US Sailing, the sport's national governing body, revamped its program. Josh Adams was named managing director of US Olympic Sailing, and he quickly selected Charlie McKee as high-performance director.

McKee, a two-time Olympic medalist, assembled an all-star crew of coaches to work closely with the top teams in each class. Former Olympic medalists Mark Reynolds, Jonathan McKee and Morgan Reeser headline the revamped staff.

Adams also brought aboard Grant “Fuzz” Spanhake as technical director for US Olympic Sailing. That hire did not receive as much publicity as some of the others, but was no less important.

Spanhake was responsible for setting up the U.S. boats and making any necessary changes. The Annapolis resident was charged with measuring the high-performance skiffs (49er for men, 49erFX for women), tuning rigs for the two-person dinghy (470 for men and women) and grading the trim of the one-person dinghy (Laser for men, Laser Radial for women).

If the U.S. contingent improves its performance at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Spanhake will deserve as much credit as Adams or Charlie McKee.

“Fuzz has given our team a more systematic approach to preparing, evaluating and tuning Olympic equipment,” Adams said. “His background as a sail designer and general meticulous approach has been exactly what we need to maintain technical excellence with our equipment.”

Spanhake is a veteran of national Olympic programs, having worked for Greece in 2004 and Great Britain in 2008 and 2012. However, the New Zealand native could not turn down his adopted homeland when called upon.

“The U.S. recruited me and needed my help. I felt a responsibility to assist my home country,” Spanhake said.

Spanhake began his career as floor manager for Lidgard Sailmakers in Auckland, New Zealand. He was involved with building the sail inventory for Ceramco New Zealand, a 1981-82 Whitbread Round the World boat skippered by Sir Peter Blake.

Spanhake would later serve as helmsman, trimmer and sailmaker aboard Lion New Zealand, Blake's entry in the 1985-86 Whitbread. He was also a watch captain with the Annapolis-based Chessie Racing campaign in the 1997-98 Whitbread.

In 1992, Spanhake served as head coach of the sailing team for America3, the U.S. syndicate headed by Bill Koch that successfully defended the America's Cup.

In all, Spanhake has been involved with six America's Cup campaigns and four Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race programs.

Spanhake, 56, moved to Annapolis in 1995, primarily because he was performing considerable work for Farr Yacht Design. Recruited by fellow New Zealanders Bruce Farr and Geoff Stagg, Spanhake wrote tuning guides and designed sails for many different classes.

All of Spanhake's experience as a professional sailor, sailmaker and project manager is now benefiting the U.S. Olympic team. He already sees progress being made.

“US Sailing has reorganized the program and changed the priorities a bit. Josh Adams was brought in and he's done a good job of bringing leadership and direction,” Spanhake said. “This is a long-term project. It does not happen overnight. I think we have put systems in place that will lead to success in the future.”

Spanhake has played an integral role in the revamped Olympic Development Program, set up to identify and encourage the next generation of U.S. sailors. Spanhake has traveled throughout the country conducting clinics and providing advice.

Spanhake said the program has already produced some successes with the American tandem of Will Logue and Bram Brakman capturing the gold medal in International 420 class at the International Sailing Federation 2015 Youth World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia. Henry Marshall won the gold at the Laser Radial World Championship in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.

“I would like to think it's paying off. Some of the results we've seen show that it is,” Spanhake said.