When we were kids sailing Optimists at our local yacht club, we never imagined we'd be here—training full-time for the Olympics in the 49er skiff. But sometimes the biggest dreams start with the smallest boats.
From Brothers to Teammates
We're Jordan (20, skipper) and Grant (23, crew), and we've been racing together since I was 13 and Grant was 16. What started as two brothers needing a sailing partner after our older brother went to college has evolved into a full Olympic campaign.
Our path wasn't typical. When COVID disrupted our Youth Worlds plans in the 29er, we didn't see it as an ending—we saw it as an opportunity. We were already running our junior campaign with Olympic-level intensity, complete with online school, professional coaching, and a two-boat training program. The transition to the 49er felt natural, even if the learning curve has been anything but easy.
Reality Checks and Trust in the Process
Grant likes to tell the story of our first Junior Worlds in the full-rig 49er. We finished near the bottom of the fleet—a harsh welcome to what he calls "sailing against some of the best sailors on the planet." It's true that in the 49er class, you're literally starting between SailGP skippers and Olympic medalists. The margins are razor-thin, with entire fleets rounding marks within 90 seconds of each other.
But here's what keeps us going: we trust the process. As Jordan often says, borrowing wisdom from Ian Barrows, progress isn't always reflected in results. Sometimes it's holding a lane longer against a top team. Sometimes it's executing one maneuver cleaner than yesterday. These small gains compound over time.
Beyond the 49er
While our hearts are in the 49er, we've learned that becoming complete sailors means racing everything we can get our hands on. Grant's experience winning his division at the J/70 Worlds and taking third at the Melges 24 Worlds has taught us that skills transfer across boats. This year, we're expanding our racing calendar to include:
- J/70 sailing with top programs like Progress in Annapolis
- Etchells and Melges 24 campaigns
- Potential Marstrom 32 opportunities
Each boat teaches us something different—tactics, boat handling, pressure management—that we bring back to our 49er.
Looking Ahead
We're now almost two years into full-time campaigning, though honestly, we've been on this path since we were 14. We've transitioned from 29ers to 49erFXs to the full 49er, growing stronger with each step. Grant graduated from UCLA early, I'm finishing college online, and we're both all-in on this dream.
The road to LA 2028 is long, and we're still near the beginning. But when you're sailing against the best in the world every day, getting your teeth kicked in just means you're in the right neighborhood. We wouldn't want it any other way.