Amanda Clark was born in 1982 and grew up on Shelter Island, NY. She started sailing at the Shelter Island Yacht Club at age 5 sailing in the Optimist Dinghy and joined the junior program at age 7. When she aged out of the Optimist class at age 15 Amanda immediately started racing in Olympic Class sailboats. With the help of her community and the Shelter Island Y.C. Amanda and her family began to raise the funds necessary to help her compete on the Olympic level.

She chose to start her Olympic quest for 2000 in the single handed event, the Europe Dinghy. Amanda immediately made her mark in history by becoming the youngest female to qualify for the US Sailing Team at age 15. She learned valuable skills during this first Olympic Campaign and finished a respectable 3rd place at the Olympic Trials. Still excited to learn more and to achieve her first goal of being an Olympian Amanda set out on her next Olympic Campaign, this time in the two person boat, the International 470. In 2002 Amanda join forces with friend and standout athlete, Sarah Mergenthaler. Together, they finished 2nd at the 2004 Olympic Trials, just barely missing out on the spot for the Olympic Team.

Amanda seized the opportunity after the 2004 campaign to finish her studies at Connecticut College. During her time at Conn. College Amanda also competed in college sailing, earning All American status. She graduated class ‘05 with a degree in Studio Art. Amanda was now truly ready to focus on her passion for sailing. Together with Sarah, Amanda went on to lead the rankings in the 470 class from 2005-2008. They brought their world ranking from 47th in 2005 to 5th in 2007. Primed for the 2007 Olympic Trials with 10 years of Olympic campaign under her belt, Amanda and Sarah went on to win the Olympic Trials with a race to spare, qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Team to compete in China.

Amanda is married and lives on Shelter Island. Her husband Greg Nissen runs a camp and retreat center on the island.