ITHACA, N.Y. -- Lior Lavie, who spent the past three seasons as the Ted Moore '71 Director of Sailing at Cornell University, has stepped down from the position to fulfill family commitments. A search for Lavie's successor will begin immediately.
"This has been one of the most difficult and deeply personal decisions I've had to make, both as a head coach and as a father and partner," Lavie said. "Cornell Sailing is far more than just a program; it's a family, a tradition, and a source of pride that runs deep. I've been incredibly honored to work alongside our alumni and supporters, many of whom have become mentors and role models in my life. I have great respect for each of them and for the tireless, often unseen efforts that have gone into creating an exceptional experience for our student-athletes. I'm profoundly grateful for the trust you've placed in me over the past three years."
"Coach Lavie enjoyed great success on the water during his coaching career with the Big Red. Equally important, he served as an outstanding role model for our student-athletes," said Dr. Nicki Moore, the Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. "Lior's passion for sailing and his ability to teach and communicate have helped our program achieve new heights. He has been a tireless advocate for Sailing and an active member of our department, serving on committees and stepping up when help has been needed. Lior leaves our program poised for continued excellence, and we will work hard to continue the good momentum generated during his tenure. I respect Lior's difficult decision to step away, and he departs with our very best wishes as he and his young family pursue new opportunities."
In three seasons as head coach, Lavie solidified Cornell's spot as one of the nation's elite programs. The 2022-23 MAISA Coach of the Year directed the 2024-25 Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year as the Big Red claimed one conference fall title (2024), two spring championships (2023, 2024) and three team race crowns (2023, 2024, 2025) along with earning national appearances in women's team race (2023, 2024, 2025) and open and women's fleet race (2023, 2024, 2025) competitions. The Big Red finished fourth, sixth, and fifth in consecutive years in the finals of the women's fleet race championships.
Lavie's Big Red teams claimed 25 regatta championships and earned their best-ever finish at the women's team race nationals with a fourth-place finish in 2025. He was instrumental in developing nine All-Americans, three MAISA singlehanded champions, and 32 total all-conference selections.
Cornell was ranked No. 4 in the national polls in each of his final two campaigns, the highest season-ending ranking in program history. Two-time MAISA Athlete Sailor of the Year Bridget Green '25 was a finalist for national honors in 2024, while Gilda Dondona '28 took runner-up at singlehanded nationals that fall, the highest in program history.
Lavie brought more than a decade of coaching experience at the club and Olympic Development levels following eight years as a member of the Israeli national team (2004-11) when he joined the Big Red in 2022 as associate head coach under Brian Clancy. He was elevated to head coach that fall with Clancy's departure.
As a competitor, Lavie sailed in the J70 World Championships as recently as 2018 when he finished on the podium, taking third among many professional sailors. He was a high-level youth sailor competing in the i420 and Olympic class 470.
