Former footballer Landgraf savours new life on the waves

As a young man growing up in Sao Paulo, Bruno Landgraf (BRA) fostered the same dream as many of his compatriots – to play football for Brazil in a World Cup and at the Olympic Games.

Having already represented Brazil at a junior level, Landgraf was a promising goalkeeper when he was involved in a car accident in 2006. The accident left him with serious spinal injuries and robbed him of his footballing dreams.

During his rehabilitation, physiotherapists suggested he try two sports, swimming and sailing.

“I started sailing, I liked sailing, for rehabilitation and to get out of the house,” Landgraf said.

But coaches thought there was more potential and Landgraf found himself sailing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games only five years after taking up the sport.

“I like the life of an athlete,” he said. “When I played soccer, I was an athlete. I like the routine, competing, winning.”

As a Brazilian due to compete in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Landgraf is determined to improve on the 11th place he achieved in London with sailing partner Elaine Pedroso da Cunha. This time, sailing with Marinalva de Almeida, the aim is for sixth or seventh.

For Landgraf, the fact Rio de Janeiro is hosting the Paralympic Games has significance beyond sporting achievements.

“It’s important for the visibility of Paralympic sport, to influence other people to take up sport,” Landgraf explained.

“It’s important for the city too, to make the city more accessible for disabled people.”

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will take place between 7-18 September in Rio de Janeiro and the sailing is scheduled to be raced between 12-17 September in Guanabara Bay.

Find information below on how to follow the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition.

RIO 2016 PARALYMPIC SAILING COMPETITION

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition will take place at the Marina da Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will feature 80 athletes from 23 nations competing across three events. Racing is scheduled to take place from 12-17 September 2016 and the competition format for all events is fleet racing.

ENTRIES
A full list of sailors racing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games is available to view here – http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/qualification/sailors.php

PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/news/index.php

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ISAFWorldSailing
Instagram – https://instagram.com/isafworldsailing/
Twitter – @worldsailing
Snapchat – Follow our Story on Snapchat, search for worldsailing

USEFUL LINKS
World Sailing Paralympic Website – http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/home.php
Competition Schedule – http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/about/schedule.php
Latest Paralympic Sailing news – http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/news/index.php
Online Notice Board – http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/onb.php