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Episode #76: Hans Henken on Engineering an Olympic Campaign

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Hans Henken to chat the ins and outs of his Paris 2024 Olympic campaign. Hans is a world champion sailor who has raced 29ers, 49ers, the International Moth, and hydrofoiling F50. He competes for the U.S. Sailing Team, is the starting flight controller for the U.S. SailGP Team, and is literally a rocket scientist.

Hear what it takes to campaign for the Olympics, how to win when it gets scary out there, avoid burnout from sailing and racing, how Olympians compete with and support each other, and the dynamic with his fiancée, fellow Good Jibes alum Helena Scutt.

 

This episode covers everything from the Olympics to the sailing power couple. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • When did Hans start racing?
  • How do kids avoid burnout from sailing?
  • What does Hans love about racing?
  • How has SailGP been?
  • Does Hans use his background as an Aeronautical Engineer while sailing?
  • How is he progressing towards the 2024 Olympics?
  • What’s it take to keep campaigning for the Olympics?
  • Short Tacks: How do you win more races?

Learn more about Hans and donate to his Olympic campaign at BarrowsHenkenRacing.com, USSailing.org/Athletes/Hans-Henken, and Instagram @HansHenken.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

  • Hans Henken on Engineering an Olympic Campaign
    • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
    • [0:27] John Arndt
    • [0:42] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
    • [0:52] Learn more about Hans and donate to his Olympic campaign at BarrowsHenkenRacing.com, USSailing.org/Athletes/Hans-Henken, and Instagram @HansHenken
    • [2:43] What’s a story that shaped Hans as a sailor?
    • [3:29] What kind of sailor is his mom?
    • [4:04] What was sailing like for Hans as a kid?
    • [5:03] When did he start racing?
    • [5:32] How do kids avoid burnout from sailing?
    • [7:28] Did Hans purchase his own moth?
    • [9:22] What does he love about racing?
    • [9:53] Engineer
    • [11:52] What’s it take to keep campaigning for the Olympics?
    • [13:39] Episode #29: “Helena Scutt on Dreaming Big in Sailing and Your Career
    • [13:56] Paul Cayard
    • [15:08] Did you know every month you can get your copy of Latitude 38 delivered directly to your mailbox? Subscribe at Latitude38.com/Subscriptions
    • Racing & Paris 2024 Olympics
    • [16:18] What types of boats has Hans raced?
    • [17:54] Episode #72: “Dr. Paul Heineken on Championing the Next Generation of Sailing
    • [19:53] How has SailGP been?
    • [22:04] How do you stay composed when racing so fast?
    • [23:04] What do Hans & Helena do when not sailing?
    • [24:20] Do they ever play cards or games?
    • [25:43] Sign up for the Latitude 38 Crew List and get on the water with some new friends
    • [26:21] How do Olympians support & compete with each other?
    • [30:12] How has Charlie McKee been as a mentor?
    • [32:57] How is the Olympic team evolving under Paul Cayard?
    • [35:19] Does Hans use his background as an Aeronautical Engineer while sailing?
    • [37:14] How is he progressing towards the 2024 Olympics?
    • Short Tacks
    • [39:19] What is Hans’s favorite boat make or model?
    • [40:42] Does he ever go cruising on the Bay?
    • [41:28] What other class of boats does he like?
    • [42:19] What’s his favorite racing venue?
    • [43:24] How would he inspire non-racers to race?
    • [44:29] How do you win more races?
    • [46:35] What’s Hans’s biggest fear on the water?
    • [48:40] Higher Performance Sailing by Frank Bethwaite
    • [49:47] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
    • [50:04] Max Ebb
    • [51:37] Learn more about Hans and donate to his Olympic campaign at BarrowsHenkenRacing.com, USSailing.org/Athletes/Hans-Henken, and Instagram @HansHenken
    • [52:53] What final thoughts does Hans have?
    • [54:05] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
    • [54:08] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
    • [54:15] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
    • [54:22] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
    • [54:30] Check out the January 2023 issue of Latitude 38
    • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Hans Henken & John Arndt on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.

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