Riley Gibbs & Louisa Nordstrom

Riley Gibbs and Louisa Nordstrom are beginning their Nacra 17 partnership with a clear, shared goal: standing on the podium at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. But their campaign is about more than a medal; it’s about evolution, trust and the willingness to start something new.

Gibbs returns to the Nacra with a career shaped by high performance. A youth standout and international medalist, he has competed across Olympic classes and elite foiling fleets, from the Moth to Formula Kite, and represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympic Games. In recent years, he immersed himself in fully professional sailing environments from Grand Prix circuits to the America’s Cup; experiences that refined his discipline and team-first mindset. Now, he comes back to the Nacra 17 with renewed focus and a deeper understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable Olympic campaign.

Nordstrom’s journey has been equally driven, though markedly different. A championship-winning collegiate skipper and accomplished 470 helm, she built her reputation on tactical precision and leadership. Transitioning into the Nacra 17 means stepping into an entirely new role: crewing, trapezing, and manually trimming on one of the most physically demanding boats in the Olympic fleet. It’s a steep learning curve, but one she has embraced fully. Early multihull experience and time in professional foiling programs have laid a foundation she is now rapidly expanding.

Following a recent training block in Miami, the pair is already finding rhythm. The Nacra rewards cohesion and punishes hesitation. Progress comes through relentless repetition and honest feedback. Two distinct sailing paths now converge in one boat. What drives them forward isn’t résumé lines…it’s shared accountability, daily commitment and belief in what they can become together.