| Name |
Torben GRAEL (BRA) |
| Date of Birth |
22119 |
| Where were you born? |
Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Age started sailing |
7 |
| Age started racing |
7 |
| What inspired you to take up sailing? |
Family Tradition, but especially my Grandfather |
| How did you buy your first boat? |
Got it from my Grandfather |
| Which was your first sailing club? |
Rio Yacht Club |
| First boat sailed? |
Penguin |
| First boat raced? |
Penguin |
| First Event competed in? |
Snipe Brazilian Championship 1975 |
| First Event won? |
Snipe Junior Brazilian Championship 1976 |
| Principle achievements? |
March 2001 Barcardi Cup - 5th |
| Principle achievements? |
April 2001 Star Spring Europeans - 1st |
| Principle achievements? |
May 2001 Stars VII District Championship - 1st |
| Principle achievements? |
June 2001 Kiel Week - 1st |
| Principle achievements? |
June 2001 SAR Sofia Trophy (on board Bribon) - 2nd |
| Principle achievements? |
July 2001 IMS Worlds (on board Bribon) - 9th |
| Principle achievements? |
July 2001 Ilhabela Sailing Week (Brazil's biggest IMS regatta) - 1st |
| Principle achievements? |
August 2001 Star Worlds - 4th |
| Principle achievements? |
September 2001 Jubilee (Classic 12 Metre) - 2nd |
| Principle achievements? |
September 2001 Star Brazilian Championship - 1st |
| Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date? |
My 4 Olympic Medals (specially Atlanta of course) and winning the Luis Vuitton Cup - 2000 |
| Future sailing aspirations? |
America's Cup 2003 and Athens 2004 Olympics |
| Briefly state what sailing means to you? |
It's a great part of my life |
| Who's had the greatest impact or inspiration in your sailing career and why? |
My Grandfather that introduced me to the sport and my parents that supported me in every possible way |
| Who do you consider to be your sailing hero if any? |
|
| Profession? |
Graduated in Business Management at the 'Universidade Federal Fluminense' Rio de Janeiro |
| What other sports do you participate in outside of sailing? |
Tennis, Volleyball, Football, Cycling and others |
| Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why? |
Paul Elvstrom for his outstanding performance and technical contribution to our sport |
| Briefly state what being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2001 means to you? |
It's a great satisfaction and it gives me the nice feeling of having my career recognised |
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
I have a wonderful family. My wife Andrea is a sailor herself and my two kids, Marco (age 12) and Martine (age 10) are Optimist sailors. |
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
|
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
My Uncles, who are twins, sailed in the Acapulco and Kiel Olympics. |
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
|
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
My Brother went to 4 Olympic games and got two Bronze Medals before his Tornado career was suddenly interrupted by a terrible accident where he lost one leg. He is back now sailing Stars but most important he became Brazil's National Sport Secretary. |
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
|
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
Together we run a project that since 1997 gives opportunity for kids, who aren't lucky as we had been to initiate in our sport. The project is based in sponsorship and so far we have certified more than 2000 kids, from local public schools, many adopted by Sailing Clubs and having good results in local racing. |
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
|
| If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2001, briefly say what will this mean to you? |
Finding time for everything we want to do is not easy and the Sailor of the Year Award would give me a great stimulation to keep up with all my activities and a special help on getting sponsors for the Grael Youth Project. |
A four-time Olympic medal winner, three in the Star and one in the Soling, Torben is nominated for his continued dominance in the Star Class. He is currently ranked number 2 in the world, having won 2 of the Grade 1 events over the past 12 months.
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