BEavercreek, Colo. (AP) — On a snowy afternoon after a day of watching top-tier ski racing, the teenage triplets relaxed on a couch next to a roaring fire near Beavercreek Ski Area.
A rare opportunity to do nothing.
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It’s been a whirlwind winter for Helena, Henry IV and Hennia Rivers as they hope to represent their native Jamaica, which has more to do with sprinting than skiing, at next month’s Winter Olympics.
Their dream was realized long ago by their father, who was, appropriately enough, born in Queens, New York, in a community called Jamaica. It was also a dream with significant implications: As black ski racers competing in a predominantly white sport, the triplets saw forming the team as a way to open doors for more skaters of color.
The pair of 18-year-olds, born just minutes apart in Brooklyn, have been traveling around the world competing in lower-level competitions, trying to qualify in technical events, slalom and giant slalom. Henry already has a place in the slalom and his sisters are close too. The deadline is January 18th.
“For three 18-year-old black triplets to represent Jamaica, a non-snow sports country, on a global stage, it would be groundbreaking,” Helena said. “I think about this every time I go to sleep.”
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ski family
The seeds for this exploration were sown decades ago when their father, Henry, discovered a pair of boots and wooden skis in the attic of a resort his parents owned as a child.
He tried it on. Perfect fit. He gave it a try. It ignited a lifelong passion.
“Skiing,” he said, “gives you the power of freedom.”
He got his wife, Karen, into skiing. She grew up on the beaches of Jamaica and moved to New York with her family as a child, where she preferred sun and sand.
“He said, ‘I’m chasing snow six months out of the year. So either you go enjoy it or I’ll see you when I get back,'” Karen laughed.
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Helaina was born on August 24, 2007 at 9:58 am. Henri arrived at 9:59am and Henniyah at 10am.
They are close. Very close.
The siblings learned the basics of skiing when they were about 18 months old on the slopes near their home in Windham, New York. They attended ski school in high school, Helena and Hennia at Holderness School in New Hampshire, and Henry at Stratton Mountain School in Vermont.
Getting here on the cusp of the Olympics is an expensive endeavor. A recent training run from July to December cost the family about $80,000.
They rely on the generosity of friends for accommodation and the support of the Jamaica Ski Federation. They also received donations from the National Brotherhood of Snow Sports (NBS), an organization that helps athletes of color compete in winter sports and of which Henry serves as president.
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“In my heart, I believe (the triplets) will be a huge catalyst in opening up the sport for black athletes,” he said.
olympic qualifiers
The trio have been competing in the FIS entry league and national junior competitions, rather than on the World Cup circuit with Mikaela Shiffrin. To earn a spot, skiers must accumulate points to move down the rankings. The easiest way is through the top finish.
The first to qualify was Henry, who met the criteria after a race in Dubai. To celebrate, he drank a rare Coke.
Helena and Hennia were knocking on the door. The plan is to meet the deadline, but the mission doesn’t end in Italy. They are looking at the long term, with an eye on the 2030 Olympic Games in the French Alps and the 2034 Olympic Games in Utah.
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The triplets often hear their story compared to the 1993 Disney film “Cool Runnings,” which was loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Olympics.
“This,” Henry said, “is like Cool Run, but on a bigger scale.”
The U.S. Ski Resorts Association released its latest demographic survey in November 2024, which showed that 1% of guests at U.S. resorts surveyed identified their race as black.
“I want to show people that winter sports don’t have any color,” Henry said. “This gives us an opportunity to prove that we can thrive in winter sports.”
close contact
The triplets have more in common than just a love of ski racing. When Henry joined the Boy Scouts of America, his sisters soon did too. All three were recently promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout. They started a YouTube channel to document their journey.
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What is the best quality of each sibling? Weigh each person:
——Helena commented on Henry: “His humor.”
— Henri on Henniyah: “By far the largest energy builder I have ever seen.”
— Henniyah on Helaina: “She always made sure we were okay first.”
They also have their own personal interests.
Hennia loves to mediate. She also started running. Helaina is scuba certified and enjoys cooking. Her most requested dish? Blueberry Banana Pancakes.
For Henry, it’s all about sports – especially basketball – and video games. His favorite is NBA 2K.
The triplets thanked their parents for their dedication. This season alone, they’ve traveled to Argentina, Belgium, Dubai, and across the U.S.
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“We grew up with our parents guiding us, with our parents pushing us so that we could never get tired of the sport,” Helena said. “They were very supportive.”
If all three were to compete in the Olympics, coordination would be needed to see them all competing. Henry’s race is in Bormio, while his sisters race in Cortina, only a five-hour drive away in the best conditions. They’ll find a way to make it work. They always have.
“It’s really cool,” Helena said, “that we can do the whole journey together.”
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
