Alumni Shine on Olympic Stage
The Antilles community recently had the chance to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of Ian Barrows ’13, who claimed a bronze medal in the Men’s Skiff event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ian began his sailing career in Optis and quickly moved to larger dinghies like 420s and Lasers. Highlights include a gold medal in the Byte class at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and multiple National Championship victories. He also secured notable finishes at the Byte and Opti World Championships.
A Yale graduate with a degree in Economics, Ian was also part of a team that won eight National Championships and earned four-time collegiate All-American honors. Following college, he pursued an Olympic campaign, inspired by his brother Thomas, and is currently ranked second in the world in the 49er class, showcasing impressive performances at international events.
Ian’s triumph adds another chapter to Antilles’ rich history of producing world-class athletes and alumni who have excelled on the global stage, demonstrating that the foundation for greatness often begins in the classroom.
Learn more about these other incredible athletes:
Paul Hoffman '59
Paul Hoffman '59 is an esteemed American coxswain who made his mark in both the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics. Hoffman first showcased his talent as the cox for the men's eight at the 1967 European Rowing Championships, where his team secured a silver medal. In 1968, he became a member of the US Olympic Rowing Team competing in Mexico City. Beyond his athletic prowess, Hoffman made a significant impact off the water by supporting the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR). He famously lent his OPHR badge to Australian sprinter Peter Norman, who wore it during the iconic medal ceremony in solidarity with Tommie Smith and John Carlos' protest. Despite facing a disciplinary hearing and accusations of conspiracy from the U.S. Olympic Committee, Hoffman was exonerated and continued to compete, ultimately finishing sixth in the eights event.
Hoffman's Olympic journey didn't end there. He went on to earn a silver medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich as the cox of the American men's eight boat.
Paul Stoeken '93
Paul Stoeken '93 made a strong impact as a Virgin Islands board sailor, competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where he finished mid-pack among a fleet of 46 competitors. His athletic career continued to shine with notable performances in the World Championship in 1997, the CAC Games in 1998, and the Pan Am Games in 1999. A wild card selection for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Stoeken has spoken about the demanding nature of the sport and his intense training routine for the 1996 Games, which he continued to build upon.
Wind surfing was ranked as one of the toughest physical sports, behind gymnastics and water polo, due to the constant exertion involved in pumping the sail. After the Sydney 2000 Games, Paul co-founded the St. Thomas Yacht Club's junior sailing program with Liz Casner and subsequently coached many of our Antilles School sailing stars, including Taylor Canfield '05, Cy Thompson '06, and Ian Barrows '06.
Cy Thompson '05
Cy Thompson '05 has established himself as a force in the sailing world, beginning with a standout collegiate career. In his sophomore year, he claimed the 2008 ICSA Men's Singlehanded National Championship, followed by a runner-up finish in 2010. Demonstrating consistent excellence, Cy placed in the top ten in his four appearances at the singlehanded nationals. His remarkable achievements earned him the title of 2011 NEISA Sailor of the Year and a finalist spot for the Everett Morris Memorial Trophy as College Sailor of the Year. A three-time ICSA Coed All-American, Cy piloted the A Division boats that led Roger Williams University to victory in the 2011 ICSA Team Racing National Championship and a second-place finish in the 2012 ICSA Coed Dinghy National Championship.
Cy's talent and dedication propelled him onto the Olympic stage. He competed in the Men's Laser class at the 2012 London Olympics and returned in 2016 to Brazil, proudly serving as the Virgin Islands' flag bearer. In the 2016 Games, Cy finished 19th in the highly competitive Men's Laser class. Sailing runs in his blood, as his grandfather, Rudy Thompson, was also an Olympic sailor for the Virgin Islands.
Thomas Barrows '06
Thomas's '06 passion for sailing ignited at age five, and by eight, he was already racing. His remarkable journey led him to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and later at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, showcasing his exceptional skills in both Laser and 49er classes. A standout at Yale University, Thomas served as captain twice, earned four-time All-American honors, and clinched the prestigious 2009 Fowle Trophy with his teammate, cementing Yale's place at the pinnacle of collegiate sailing. His exemplary sportsmanship and dedication were further recognized with the College Sailor of the Year Award and Yale’s Neely Mallory Award.
In addition to his Olympic achievements, Thomas has demonstrated consistent excellence at World Championships, with his most notable performance being a 23rd place finish in the 49er Men’s class in 2016.
Mayumi Roller '08
Mayumi "Mimi" Roller '08 has had an extraordinary journey from the seas to the screen. Growing up on Coral Bay Organic Gardens (Josephine's Greens) in St. John, Mayumi was inspired by her older brother, Hugo Roller, to start sailing. Her dedication to the sport led her to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, representing the USVI in the women's Laser Radial class. She continued to excel, participating in numerous regattas, including the Kieler Woche 2014 with teammate Kayla McComb-Raab in the 49erFX class. A standout at St. Mary's College of Maryland, Mayumi was an NCAA All-American athlete, contributing to multiple podium finishes at National Championships.
In 2017, Mayumi transitioned from the waves to the spotlight, beginning her acting career with a Travel Channel commercial. This led to a series of commercials for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and roles in various films and TV shows. Notably, she has appeared in "The Resident," starring alongside Matt Czuchry and Emily VanCamp, and portrayed Deelie Boyd in "The Ritual Killer," featuring Morgan Freeman and Cole Hauser. Mayumi Roller's journey is a testament to her versatile talent and relentless drive, making her a shining star both on the water and on screen.
Nikole Barnes '12
Nikole Barnes '12 has been making waves in the sailing world since she began sailing at age 6. With an impressive career filled with accolades, she stands out not only for her sailing prowess but also for her commitment as an active duty U.S. Coast Guard Officer stationed at Sector Miami. Nikole's journey is a testament to her dedication and talent, earning her the title of Quantum Women Sailor of the Year in 2016 and the Robert H. Hobbs Sportsmanship Award in 2017. Notably, she made history as the first active duty Coast Guard Officer to compete at the Olympics, finishing 12th in the 470 Women's class at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Nikole's career highlights include winning the Quantum Women College Sailor of the Year Award in 2016 and being a three-time All-American for Coed and Women’s College Sailing. She has participated in multiple World Championships, with her top finish being 6th in the 420 Women's class in 2011. Most recently, she competed in the 470 Mixed class at the 2024 World Championships.
Max Wilson '22
At just 20 years old, Max Wilson’s '22 hard work and dedication have already yielded impressive results. In addition to setting a new personal record in the men’s 100 backstroke at the Paris Olympics, he has achieved notable successes at various competitions. At the 2023 Pan American Games, Max clinched a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke, showcasing his prowess on an international stage. His rigorous training regimen, which includes early morning practices and intense gym sessions, has prepared him for these significant milestones.
Heading into his junior year at Florida State, Max is a key member of the swim team, contributing significantly to their success and pushing his limits in both training and competition.