SAN DIEGO — Hans Henken is reviving his sailing career just shy of 14 months after a significant accident where he was knocked unconscious and suffered serious injuries when the high-speed catamaran he was piloting crashed during a SailGP race in the Mediterranean.
The Olympic medalist has been reinstated as the flight controller for the United States SailGP Team, which unveiled its roster for Season 5 of the league on Monday. The season kicks off with a regatta this coming weekend in Dubai.
Henken’s journey has come full circle since his injury on September 23, 2023, when he endured two broken ribs, a broken sternum, torn rotator cuff, and a concussion. These injuries resulted from a miscalculation while maneuvering Team USA’s 50-foot catamaran during an event in Taranto, Italy.
However, Henken didn’t stay away from the sport for long. Within about three and a half weeks, he and skipper Ian Barrows claimed the gold medal in the 49er class at the Pan American Games. Subsequently, the duo captured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant achievement for the traditionally dominant American sailing team, which had previously earned only one medal in the last three Summer Games combined.
Now, Henken is excited to return to SailGP, describing it as a realm featuring “some of the best sailors in the world, the coolest boats, the fastest boats,” like the F50, which can reach speeds comparable to those on highways.
“It’s no secret that I want to be surrounded by these boats,” said Henken, 32, in a recent interview. “They truly represent engineering feats. With my background in aerospace engineering from Stanford, every aspect of these vessels fascinates me — from sailing them to the engineering that goes into making them, alongside the vibrant culture surrounding this sport. It’s an incredible league.”
The American team underwent a change in ownership just two months following Henken’s accident. They aim to improve on their last-place finish in the fleet of 10 boats, which will expand to 11 for the opening event and grow to 12 for the subsequent regatta.
The incident causing Henken’s injuries occurred when the American F50 catamaran nosedived at approximately 40 mph, resulting in the leeward hull crashing into the water. Henken, responsible for the flight controls, miscalculated during a particular maneuver. Jimmy Spithill, the skipper at the time, initially did not see him and issued a distress call. Moments later, the crew discovered Henken unconscious, having been forcefully thrown against the back of his cockpit by the impact of the water, and Spithill called for medical assistance.
“These boats need precise control during all operations,” Henken noted. “If even a single element is off, the consequences can escalate quickly. This is part of the extreme nature of this sport; athletes push themselves to the limit, which is essential to competing in these races.”
Despite the injuries, Henken was determined to continue his Olympic aspirations, managing to endure the challenges of his rehabilitation.
While he acknowledged he was not physically ready for the Pan Am Games, he felt mentally prepared and eager to participate, recognizing the competition’s significance in training for the U.S. Olympic Trials set for Miami in January.
Henken possesses both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Reflecting on his childhood dreams, he reminisced, “When I was just five, my goal was to become an astronaut. Right after that, I aimed to compete in the Olympics and win a medal. I managed to achieve the latter.”
Though he had interviews with SpaceX, Henken chose to focus on sailing after receiving an invitation from Barrows to join the Olympic campaign, retracting his application there.
He still aspires to work as an aerospace engineer, “but for the time being, as long as I possess the skills to sail these magnificent vessels, I will seize any chance to team up with impressive flying boats, and I won’t decline that opportunity,” he said.
Henken described his experience returning to an F50 during training in Bermuda as “like reconnecting with an old friend.”
Team USA CEO and co-owner Mike Buckley was present on Henken’s first day back on the boat, offering a friendly fist bump with the words, “Have a good day,” acknowledging the resilient spirit common in athletes.
The American catamaran has adopted a new design scheme showcasing the Liberty Marine colors to honor the Statue of Liberty, featuring the statue’s head on its wingsail.