Sailing 101: What's happened since the Tokyo Olympics?

United States heads back to the Olympics in the 49er

Tokyo 2020 marked the first time in history the United States did not send a full slate to the Olympic Games, after missing the final qualification opportunity in the 49er class at the 2019 Pan American Games. In Paris, the United States will be represented once again in the 49er class. 

The duo of Andrew Mollerus and Ian MacDiarmid, along with Ian Barrows and Hans Henken, officially punched their tickets by qualifying to the medal race at the 2023 Sailing World Championships.

Barrows and Henken were awarded the spot with their performance at the Olympic Trials in January. Both men will be making their Olympic debut in Paris. 

Daniela Moroz makes history

Daniela Moroz was not only the first U.S. sailor to make the Olympic team for Paris 2024, but she made history by becoming the first American to ever qualify to the Olympic Games in formula kite — a sailing event that will make its Olympic debut in Paris. 

The six-time world champion earned her spot by placing third in the Olympic test event in Marseille in July of 2023 and then finishing fifth at the world championships in the Netherlands a month later. Moroz will look to become the first American woman to win an Olympic sailing medal since 2008 when Anna Tunnicliffe Tobias won gold in the Laser Radial class. 

SEE MORE: Daniela Moroz's Olympic journey began with her parents' escape

Ellie Aldridge eyes gold in Paris

Great Britain’s Ellie Aldridge experienced major success in 2023, winning silver in the formula kite at the Olympic test event in July and again at the world championships a month later. Aldridge capped off her year with a gold medal at the 2023 Formula Kite European Championships, cementing herself as one to watch heading into Paris.