Hans Henken’s sailing career is back at full throttle not quite 14 months after he was knocked unconscious and severely injured when the high-speed catamaran he was controlling in a SailGP race crashed off its foils and nosedived into the Mediterranean waves.
FILE - Olympic bronze medalists Ian Barrows and Hans Henken of the United States, pose with their medals during the men’s skiff medal ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Marseille, France. FILE - Olympic bronze medalists Ian Barrows and Hans Henken of the United States, wave before receiving their medals during the men’s skiff medal ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Marseille, France.
The injuries didn’t keep him off the water for long. Some 3 ½ weeks later, Henken, a Stanford-educated rocket scientist, and skipper Ian Barrows won the gold medal in the 49er class at the Pan Am Games., a breakthrough for a once-dominant sailing squad that had claimed just one medal total in the previous three Summer Games.
Henken was injured when the American F50 nosedived and buried its leeward hull into the Mediterranean waves at about 40 mph, rose up into the air and came to rest. Henken, the flight controller, said he misjudged the boat’s ride height control during a maneuver after rounding a mark. He was determined to continue his Olympic campaign and pushed through the pain during his physical therapy sessions.
It’s still a goal to work as an aerospace engineer, “but while I’m capable and while I have the skill set to be able to sail these boats, I’m taking any opportunity to sail really, really cool flying boats, I’m not going to turn that down,” he said.
Athlete Injuries 2024 Paris Olympic Games CA State Wire Pan American Games Sports Mediterranean Sea Liberty Flames
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Giants Prospects Power Team Puerto Rico to Upset Team USA in Premier12 TourneySabin Ceballos scored the game's only run on a solo homer, while lefty reliever Raymond Burgos pitches 1.1 scoreless innings
Read more »
Trump flanked by top allies, cabinet picks at UFC 309: 'USA, USA'Key cabinet picks -- including Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert Kennedy Jr. -- joined President-elect Trump at UFC 309 at the Madison Square Garden.
Read more »
Former Seattle Mariners Reliever Dan Altavilla Representing Team USA in Prestigious TThe right-hander could be looking for a way to showcase himself for major league teams at the outset of the offseason.
Read more »
Team USA Roster Prediction: 4 Nations Face-OffWith the 4 Nations Face-Off approaching, what will the United States team look like?
Read more »
Pacers' Rick Carlisle Hints at Who Could Take Over Coaching Team USAPacers head coach Rick Carlisle tags this elite coach as the next head coach for Team USA.
Read more »
Former Granite Hills softball player chosen to play for team USAGrowing up in San Diego with a father who was a sports anchor meant only one thing -- the topic of conversation in Steve's house usually centered around the Padres, Chargers and the Aztecs.
Read more »