Torben GRAEL and Marcelo FERREIRA were amongst the favourites to win a medal in the Star at the 2004 Olympic Sailing Competition and nobody was left in any doubt that they were entitled to the gold medal. Grael and Ferreira had clinched the gold before the final race, and of the 10 races they contested only finished out of the top five places in two.

The pair's achievement has also propelled Torben into Olympic history, as he now becomes the first and only sailor to have won five Olympic sailing medals.

Grael and Ferreira had a mixed season prior to the Olympic Games in August, but notched up a win at the Star South American Championship in their list of achievements. Experience and talent enabled the team to peak at exactly the right time and their successes are mirrored by a rise up the ISAF World Sailing Rankings.

The Achievements of Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira

ISAF World Sailing Ranking at the end of the nomination period (3 August 2004) - 14
Current ISAF World Sailing Ranking (2 September 2004) - 12
1st - Olympic Sailing Competition, Grade W - August 2004
21st - SPA Regatta, Grade 1 - May 2004
15th - Star World Championship, Grade W - May 2004
11th - Star European Championship, Grade 1 - March 2004
1st - Star South American Championship, Grade 2 - February 2004
32nd - ISAF World Championship, Grade W - September 2003

Name	Torben GRAEL	Marcelo FERREIRA
Date of Birth	22119
Place of Birth	Sao Paulo, Brazil
Profession	Graduated in Business Administration
ISAF Sailor ID	BRATG1
Age started sailing	6
First boat sailed	Penguin
Age started racing	15
First boat raced	Snipe
What inspired you to take up sailing?	Family tradition
How did you buy your first boat?	My grand father gave it to me
Which was your first sailing club?	Rio Yacht Club
First Event competed in and Year	Brazilian Snipe Nationals in 1975
First Event won and Year	Brazilian Snipe Junior Naitonals, 1977
Principle achievements	Olympic gold medal in the Star Class in Athens, 2004. My second gold medal and 5th medal in the Olympic Games. It turns me into the sailor with the most Olympic medals in history and Brazil's best Olympic athlete.
Principle achievements
Principle achievements	In 2004
Principle achievements	1st Star South Americans
Principle achievements	1st Star Brazilian Nationals
Principle achievements	1st Star District VII Championships
Principle achievements	1st Brazilian Match Race National Championships
Principle achievements	1st Laser Pre-Master Brazilian National Championship
Principle achievements	1st Brazilian Olympic Trials
Principle achievements	11th Star European Championship
Principle achievements	15th Star World Championship
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	5 Olympic Medals
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	1984 - Silver - Los Angeles
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	1988 - Bronze - Seoul
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	1996 - Gold - Atlanta
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	2000 - Bronze - Sydney
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	2004 - Gold - Athens
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	Winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	Winner of 6 World Championships
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	Winner of 12 Continental Championships (5 European)
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	Winner of 40 National Championships
What are your future sailing aspirations?	2005/6 Volvo Ocean Race
What are your future sailing aspirations?	2007 America's Cup
What are your future sailing aspirations?	2008 Olympic Campaign
Briefly state what sailing means to you	Family and friends aside, it means everything
Who has had the greatest impact or inspiration in your sailing career and why?	My grandfather for transmitting his passion, my parents for supporting enthusiastically and my uncles for the inspiration and technical knowledge.
Who do you consider to be your sailing hero?	Paul ELVSTRÖM
What other sports do you participate in outside of sailing?	Tennis, volleyball, football and cycling
Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why?	Paul ELVSTRÖM for his fantastic results, especially his 4 gold medals.
Briefly state what being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2004 means to you	Being nominated for the fourth time means that I have been consistent with good results and makes me very happy.
If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2004, briefly say what will this mean to you?	It would mean a great recognition from the sailing community for becoming the only sailor to win 5 Olympic medals. It would certainly make me very proud and honoured.