First measure for LA 2028 Olympics

Nikki Barnes represented the USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Women’s Two Person Dinghy (470) event, but when it was changed to a mixed event for Paris 2024, she was late getting started and finished fourth in the US Trials.

With none of the top three from the Paris trials currently campaigning, Nikki has a new teammate – Ryan Squires – and is working toward selection for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. After winter training in Miami, the duo lined up against the international fleet in May at the 2025 470 European Championship in Split, Croatia. Here’s their report:

Our Epic Racing Experience
Our time in Croatia was nothing short of amazing. From start to finish, the event delivered everything we could’ve hoped for: competitive racing, challenging conditions, and an incredible group of sailors to share it with. We pushed ourselves on the water, learned so much, and had plenty of fun in the process.

During our 16 days in Europe, we sailed for 15 of them! Yep, only one day off, which we used for measurement and team briefings to prep for racing. On average, we were on the water 5.5 hours a day, with wind ranging from 4 to 28 knots. The days were long, with lots of waiting for the sea breeze to fill, but it always came through and gave us solid racing conditions.

We raced a total of 11 races and finished 23rd out of 38 boats! Our biggest highlight? A 2nd place finish in one of the races! That result shows that the speed is there, and when we put everything together with more time on the water, we can absolutely hang with the top of the fleet.

One of the most fun moments was sailing back in after the windiest day of racing – just absolutely shredding together in the breeze. After such a physical day, flying back to shore like that was pure joy and made it all worth it.

Lessons from International Racing
One of our major goals for this trip was to work on our starting. Getting off the line clean and strong is key. We definitely improved throughout the event, consistently establishing ourselves better with the fleet. That said, we pushed a little too hard a couple of times and were disqualified for being over early… so yeah, we definitely learned where the line is!

Racing at this level gives you a perspective you just can’t get without international competition, and now we have a much clearer sense of what we need to focus on moving forward. Thank you to our Coach Stu McNay for guiding and supporting us throughout the event! Your expertise made all the difference!

Reconnecting on the Racecourse
This trip was incredibly valuable, not just for the sailing but also for the connections we made. We had the opportunity to build a few great partnerships with other teams throughout the event. We also met a pair of doctors from Austria who race together as a couple – so cute!

It was amazing to see some familiar faces from Nikki’s Tokyo campaign. At this level, the fleet is small and tight-knit, and reconnecting with these sailors was such a special part of the experience for Nikki!

A Different Kind of Sightseeing
Croatia was stunning. We didn’t have time to sightsee, but it was so beautiful to just be at the club, watching locals sip their coffee and check out the boats. Sailing there gave us a more authentic, local perspective. You really connect to a place differently when you’re on the water. And the food… wow. We can’t wait to go back for more!

Travel Chaos? Check. Back Home? Also Check!
Oh! And if you’re wondering whether we made it back to the U.S. intact – yes, we did!

Nikki had a marathon travel day with her two-year-old son, multiple flights, and so much luggage, but they made it back safely and are already back to the grind in Miami. Nikki’s been hitting the gym and juggling campaign work like a pro.

Ryan made it back safe and sound after his drive from Croatia to Barcelona, followed by a canceled and then rerouted flight from Barcelona to South Carolina – during which his bags and our sails got lost. But don’t worry, we got them back unharmed! He’ll be finishing up his work at Columbia Sailing Club before shifting into full campaign mode!

Grateful, Fired Up, and Heading West!
Thank you to the US Sailing Team for everything they’ve done, and a huge thanks to all of you, our amazing supporters! Your well wishes, congratulations, and positive energy have kept our stoke level sky-high!

Next up:
Long Beach! We’ll be heading there soon to start training at the Olympic venue alongside some other U.S. teams. We can’t wait to hit the water and keep the momentum going!

More information: https://www.american-wave2028.com/

Los Angeles 2028 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: Los Angeles or Long Beach, CA
Dates: July 21-August 6