Luke Muller (OLY) and Chris Barnard selected to represent US Sailing on the Team USA Athletes’ Commission
by US Sailing Team 19 Nov 15:49 PST
Luke Muller (Tokyo 2020) and Chris Barnard © US Sailing Team
On Friday, November 15, Luke Muller (Fort Pierce, FL) was elected as the next Team USA Athletes’ Commission Representative for US Sailing, the sport’s National Governing Body (NGB). Chris Barnard (Newport Beach, CA) was also elected as the Alternate Representative, joining Luke to support American sailing athletes.
Representatives for the newly renamed Team USA Athletes’ Commission (previously known as “USOPC Athlete Advisory Council”) serve as advocates for Team USA athletes and advise the USOPC board of directors. The Team USA Athletes’ Commission has been bringing together representatives from each NGB to support the mission of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) since 1973.
Muller competed for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Finn class (men’s one-person heavyweight dinghy) and currently races professionally in classes including M32s, TP52s, Mini Maxis, and RC44s. Although he is retired from Olympic sailing, Muller actively supports the next generation of sailors and current Team USA athletes.
“I’m honored to represent sailors on Team USA’s Athlete Commission and work alongside Chris Barnard on US Sailing’s Board of Directors,” stated Muller. “I look forward to applying my past and current sailing experience, collaborating with other Team USA NGBs and sailing organizations as we strive for our shared objectives. I’m eager to connect with and amplify the voices of our current athletes to bolster US Sailing.”
Chris Barnard, serving as Alternate Representative alongside Muller, competed for the US Sailing Team in the Men’s Laser for seven years during the Rio and Tokyo Olympic cycles. After retiring from competition, he coached male ILCA 7 athletes for two years in preparation for the Paris 2024 Games.
The Team USA AC aims “To ensure communication between the USOPC and athletes engaged in amateur athletic competition or who have represented the United States in international competitions within the past 10 years.”
Muller’s and Barnard’s new roles ensure their seats on the US Sailing Board of Directors for a four-year term, aligning with their Team USA Athletes’ Commission terms. They will replace outgoing representatives Maggie Shea and Judge Ryan as US Sailing’s Representative and Alternate Representative.
“Now in its second cycle, including the AC representatives on the board is part of US Sailing’s strategy to enhance active athlete involvement and amplify athlete voices throughout the organization,” said Henry Brauer, US Sailing’s newly elected President.
Their responsibilities as elected representatives will include fostering relationships and maintaining active communication with US Sailing athletes, staff, leadership, development athletes, and other NGB AC Representatives.
According to the Team USA AC bylaws, official terms last for the duration of a Summer Games quadrennium. Muller and Barnard’s term will start on January 1, 2025, and conclude on December 31, 2028.
