Henri, one-half of the dynamic twin duo from the Mornington Peninsula, has built an impressive sailing resume at just 15 years old. A proud member of the Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club, Henri’s dedication to the sport and his community has earned him recognition beyond his years. Serving as Junior Club Captain and being awarded Junior Club Champion were both proud achievements, but the highlight of his club journey so far has been receiving the “Mike Haig Memorial Trophy” – Awarded to the club member between the ages 16 & 25 who has been assessed by the Flag Officers as having proved themselves the best club member, in that age group, in that season. Henri was presented this special award when he was just 14 – a testament to his remarkable contributions and character.

Henri’s passion for sailing is matched by his love of a challenge. Beyond learning the 29er, he has embraced the high-performance WASZP class and Windsurfer LT. Henri thrives on pushing boundaries, whether it’s taking juniors out for thrilling foil rides on his WASZP or sharing unforgettable moments, like the day dolphins played alongside him, leaping from the water as they kept pace with his speeding boat.

Henri’s sailing journey began in the Optimist class, where he qualified for the Australian Optimist Sailing Team and achieved significant success. However, his fondest memories often came from adventures outside of competition. Working closely with his coach Jack Lewis, Henri not only honed his skills but also discovered the true joy of sailing. One unforgettable challenge that Jack setup was sailing his Optimist downwind from Sorrento to Martha Cove with his brother on 7 May 2022. It was a perfect run with a WNW 25+ knot wind gusting over 30. Henri encourages other junior sailors to try the challenge with friends (time to beat is 2 hours 15 minutes 34 seconds).

Another highlight for Henri was training with Olympian Tess Lloyd on the WASZP. “Tess has been such a big help over the years, and I’ve learned so much from her,” Henri shares. Experiences like these have shaped his sailing journey and fuelled his desire to push further. Looking ahead, Henri is excited to see how far he and his brother can take the 29er. “The Europeans and Worlds will be a great opportunity to see where the best is at. While I hope we do well, I’m most excited to bring back ideas and insights to improve for next year.”

Off the water, Henri enjoys mountain biking, the occasional motorbike send, and, capturing moments through photography and videography – a talent that has earned him recognition at school. Henri and his brother have also been instrumental in establishing a school sailing team, “Teams racing has such an amazing energy. It’s competitive but also so much fun.”

Henri’s combination of talent, passion, and a love for sharing the sport with others makes him a true ambassador for sailing, and he’s excited to see what the future holds.