Paris 2024: Think it, Say it, Do it

In the absence of government funding, USA sailors must create passion for their Olympic pursuit. They must share their journey to seek support, with Paris 2024 bronze medalists Ian Barrows and Hans Henken providing this epilogue to that story:

Competing in the Olympic Games has been a life-changing experience beyond anything we could have imagined. The intensity, the friendships, and the sheer joy of representing the United States on the world’s biggest stage is something we will carry with us forever.

The pride and excitement we felt each time we sailed out past the breakwater to go racing is indescribable, and the honor and privilege of being part of Team USA will always be one of the greatest achievements of our lives.

The Olympic spirit, the unity, and the global celebration of athletic excellence has been awe-inspiring. This journey has not only shaped us as athletes but as individuals, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have lived our dream in Paris 2024.

Our journey to the Olympic podium has driven us every single day, and standing on that stage in Paris 2024, with a bronze medal in hand, is a moment we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

This victory is not ours alone; it belongs to an incredible community of supporters, mentors, loved ones and friends who have been with us every step of the way. As we celebrate this achievement, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to those who have made this dream a reality.

To Our Families:
First and foremost, we want to thank our parents, Shep and Jean Barrows and Ed and Tamra Henken, our significant others, Elisabeth and Helena, and all of our siblings, Thomas, Paris and Sterling. You have been our bedrock, providing unwavering support and encouragement through every high and low. From the countless early mornings to the late nights, your belief in us has never wavered. You were there when we needed you most, and you celebrated each win, no matter how small. This medal is as much yours as it is ours, and we are forever grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to help us achieve our dreams.

To Our Coaching Staff:
To our incredible coaching staff, Mark Asquith and Charlie McKee, words cannot express our gratitude for your tireless dedication, expertise, and guidance. You pushed us beyond our limits, believed in our potential, and prepared us for the challenges of the Olympic stage. Your strategic insights, technical knowledge, and unwavering commitment to our success have been instrumental in our journey. This medal is a testament to all of your hard work and belief in us. Thank you!

To the United States Sailing Team and Team USA:
Thank you for your tireless efforts and countless hours helping prepare, guide and lead our entire Olympic Team through this unbelievable Olympic experience. Specifically, we would like to thank Marcus Lynch, Sally Barkow, and Kate Drummey, the Force Physical Therapy Team of Chris Ellis and Alex Milian, our nutrition support from Shelly Guzman, our rules support from Dave Perry, our boatwright Andrew Brennan, our team doctors of Reese and Kevin O’Donnell, our data analysis from B Lindsay, our media team of Allison Chernard and Lexi Pline and finally to all of our U.S. Olympic Sailing Team Teammates. Thank you! Competing under the stars and stripes has been the honor of a lifetime. Your dedication to this team and your commitment to providing us with the resources we needed to succeed has not gone unnoticed. We are proud to represent our country and what we have been able to achieve together.

To the Windmark Sailing Foundation:
To the Windmark Sailing Foundation, your support has been absolutely invaluable. You believed in our potential from the beginning and provided us with the exact resources and opportunities to refine our skills and push to our limits. Your investment in our journey has played a pivotal role in this achievement, and is the reason we were able to get on the water and do what we needed to do day in and day out. Thank you so much for your support in making our sailing dream a reality!

To America One Racing:
Thank you to the America One Racing staff, and Board of Directors for your belief and commitment to our team and our dreams. Your dedication and support in our Olympic campaign was instrumental to our preparation and success out on the water. Thank you for all the opportunities you’ve afforded us which have allowed us compete on the worlds biggest stage and bring home a medal for the United States and greater sailing community. We are incredibly proud to be apart of your team and deeply appreciate all of your unwavering support.

To the St. Francis Sailing Foundation and Sailing Foundation of New York:
We extend our deepest thanks. Your support and commitment to fostering sailing excellence have been immensely impactful on our journey. The resources, guidance, and opportunities you’ve provided helped us to compete at the highest level. We are proud to celebrate this moment and are incredibly grateful for your belief in our journey and dedication to the sport of sailing.

To All of Our Donors:
To all of our generous donors, thank you for your incredible support. Your contributions have made it possible for us to pursue and achieve our dreams. Your belief in our team and your investment in our journey have been the driving force behind our success. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment to our 2024 Olympic campaign.

To All of Our Friends and Extended Family:
Thank you to all our friends and extended family, especially to those that made the trip all the way to Marseille to cheer us on in person. All of the phone calls, text messages, notes and letters we have received have been absolutely amazing and heartwarming. Thank you for being there for us and we look forward to celebrating with you in the months to come!

To Our Training Partners on the 49er Skiff Squad:
Finally, to our amazing training partners on the 49er Skiff Squad, thank you for pushing us to be our best every single day. The camaraderie, competition, and shared passion for the sport have been an essential part of our journey. We have grown together, learned from each other, and forged friendships that will last a lifetime. This medal is a testament to the strength and unity of our squad. To echo some words we have said before, your presence on the water and dedication to excellence have shaped us into being the best versions of ourselves. Every close battle on the water, every long debrief, and every shared moment between us has contributed greatly to getting us here. Our sailing success is a result of standing on the shoulders of giants – and you are those giants.

As we reflect on this incredible journey, we are filled with gratitude and pride. This bronze medal is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of our entire community. Thank you for believing in us, standing by us, and sharing in this unforgettable moment. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9

Details: https://paris2024.sailing.org/