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Regatta Reports
His Worship Mayor Sam Sullivan will open the Star North American 2007 Championships July 31st to August 4th
Event website
The Mayor of Vancouver will officially open the Star North American championships at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club in a flag raising ceremony. The mayor, a long time sailing advocate and supporter of many events in English Bay will be on hand to welcome at least 7 Olympic sailors who will be competing in the event along with over 100 other participants. Early registration indicates that there will be at least 50 yachts on the starting line for the 5 day event.
As this is an international event, it is worthwhile to note that one of the competitors will be Lars Grael, coming all the way from Brazil. Lars won two Olympic Bronze Medals in the Tornado Class in 1988 with Clinio Freitas and in 1996 with Marcia MacDonald’s brother Kiko Pellicano.
Like our Mayor Sam Sullivan, Lars, who sails with one leg, has continued to sail in spite of a disabling accident. In 1998 Lars was sailing his Tornado in a regatta in Brazil and just before the start he was run over by a 42’ sportfishing powerboat apparently on autopilot. He was rescued by fellow sailors and the man who ran him over actually stopped and took him back to the yacht club. His right leg was completely severed just below the waist and he lost a lot of blood. Luckily there was some medical personnel at the yacht club and assistance was immediate. He spent 40 days in hospital and had about 10 operations because his head and arm had also been hit by the propeller.
But, he recovered well and was able to start sailing again a couple of months after. He chose to sail the Star because of such good competition in Brazil and abroad. In the Star class his highest achievement is as South American Champion in 2005. He also loves to sail a classic 6 meter boat that his brother Torben, another famous star sailor, gave him.
After the accident Lars was offered opportunities in politics. He worked as Secretary of Sports for the Brazilian Government for 4 years and then as Secretary of Sports for the State of Sao Paulo for another 4 years.
Our Mayor too has moved from sailing to politics. The chairman of the Star North American 2007 Championships, Peter Jefferson, is extremely greatful for the interest that the City of Vancouver has demonstrated and the support that the event has received from the private and corporate sectors as well as the Province of British Columbia.
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