Sailor Lange back at helm after losing lung through cancer

Sailor Santiago Lange (ARG) says the rigours of his sport helped to save his life and return to competition after he lost a lung to cancer just a year ago.

His hectic schedule led to diagnosis of the disease, he said, while the experience of five Olympic campaigns, winning two medals along the way, was key in keeping him positive through his ordeal and returning for a sixth challenge.

Lange, 54, with crewmate Carlos Espinola, won bronzes for Argentina at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 in the now discontinued two-person Tornado class event before combining with Cecilia Carranza Saroli (ARG) in 2014 in the Nacra 17 mixed class, a new addition to the Olympic sailing schedule at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

But plans were suddenly placed on hold in 2015 when Lange was diagnosed with cancer and eventually had his left lung removed.

“The six months I was dealing with that I was so positive,” Lange said. “Now when I look back it was a good experience, difficult but I learned a lot. I was operated on in Barcelona and after five days I was cycling, in a month I was back sailing.

“I was very lucky to find it (the cancer). Probably if I wasn’t travelling so much and wasn’t so tired it wouldn’t have been found. I see myself as very lucky.

“For sure my philosophy and what I learned through the sport helped me a lot. With sailing you learn to suffer in a certain way, to go through hard times and stand up and keep pushing.”

His health is now in great shape as he approaches his sixth Olympic Games.

“Everything is new. It’s new for me to sail with a woman and the Nacra is a new Olympic class. Both are really nice challenges for me at this time in my career,” said Lange, who has has been living and training with Carranza Saroli near Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay sailing venue since January.

Another first for Lange will be sharing the Olympic experience with two of his sons, who will compete together in sailing for Argentina in the men’s 49er class.

Yago Lange (ARG) and Klaus Lange (ARG) have qualified to compete in a 20-boat fleet which includes current 49er world champions and London 2012 silver medallists, Peter Burling / Blair Tule (NZL), as well as defending gold medallists Nathan Outteridge / Iain Jensen (AUS).

“For the first time in Olympic Games I am anxious to go to the Olympic stadium opening ceremony because for me going with my sons will be so unique, so special for me,” Santiago Lange said.

“The Olympics is all about what you do before, the Games are only the dessert. These past two years I travelled with my sons and shared good and bad moments. To share the whole experience has been great.”

His sons are pleased to still have their father around, and are impressed with his continued passion for the sport.

“My dad surprises me every day, what he is doing is amazing,” said Yago Lange. “He is fighting hard after cancer, and with his age against the young guys in the Nacra (17 mixed class). He is very strong mentally.”

RIO 2016 OLYMPIC SAILING COMPETITION USEFUL LINKS
World Sailing Olympic Website – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/home.php
Rio 2016 Schedule – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/about/schedule.php#.V5Yw346BLqM
Rio 2016 Olympic Sailors – http://www.sailing.org/olympics/rio2016/qualification/sailors.php#.V5Yw946BLqM