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Human Interest

This Article Last Updated: Jun 23rd, 2014 - 12:03:47 

World Champion Joe Londrigan: Four season sports star
By Nathan Woodside, Correspondent, State Journal Register, Springfield, Illinois
Jun 23, 2014, 11:53

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It may be difficult to find an athletic resume more eclectic than that of Springfield Sports Hall of Fame inductee Joe Londrigan.

The 1983 Griffin High School graduate was a nine-time letterman in swimming, track and football before going on to a world-class career in sailing.

"I don’t think you'll find anyone with that combination," Londrigan said. "Essentially, I had four seasons going.”
Swimming was his first sport. He started at age 6 at the YMCA and excelled. At 9, he started junior sailing classes at Lake Springfield. In junior high school at Chatham Glenwood he ran track for the first time, setting the state record and securing two state championships in the 880-yard run. He went on to set more records in high school. Londrigan also took his speed to the football field, where he played defensive back and running back.

"I would say I had some natural ability, but I think a large part of my success is those events was my work ethic and preparation,” he said. "I think it was a combination."

Londrigan credits his drive to his father, Tom. "I think my dad was a primary motivator,” he said. "He would train me both in swimming and track. I was doing two-a-day workouts in swimming by the time I turned 9. In track, my workouts with my dad were probably two to three times harder than they were with the actual team."

In the summer, Londrigan would compete alongside his father in sailing events. It was rare that a kid from the flat plains of central Illinois would have much of a career in the sport. That privilege was normally reserved for sailors in coastal regions. However, Londrigan saw that as a challenge.

"When I travel around, people will ask where I'm from," he said. "I'll tell them Lake Springfield, and they're shocked. To go from a regional sailor in the Midwest to a world-class level was a huge jump. I really had to devote all my time to the sport. I probably spent more time training on the water than anybody."

Londrigan said learning the sport on a small lake had it's advantages and allowed him to develop a certain skill set. He also focused on the mental side of sailing. "I would read any book I could get my hands on about how to make a boat go fast," he said. "I think my competitive drive allowed me to overcome a lot of obstacles."

When Londrigan finished college, he didn't go shopping for a job. Instead, he assembled of group of local volunteers to help him continue his sailing career through fundraising and sponsorships. His goal was the Olympics.

It was the beginning of a long and successful sailing career. Londrigan went on to be a second-team Olympian in 1988. He was part of the United States sailing team from 1992-96. He was the Olympic Committee's Athlete of the Year in sailing in 1996. Londrigan was a three-time Star Class North American Champion. His most proud moment was being the 1993 Star Class World Champion.

His success in sailing continues from the next two decades. In 2012, he teamed up with his father to win the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Island. The same year, he was the Farr 40 World Champion as a mainsail trimmer.
"I got a lot of satisfaction from winning, but it was always fun," Londrigan said. "It was hard work, but it was always fun. It was always a labor of love."

He admits that his career is winding down and looks forward to retirement and spending more time with his two daughters.
However, he still sails professionally with a 10-man team about 50 days out of the year. "I'll continue to do it as long as it's fun for me and can generate some income from it," he said. "But my kids are getting older and I kind of want to spend some time with them."

In December, he completed his first race across the Atlantic Ocean, 2,700 miles long from the Canary Islands to St. Lucia. It took him 13 days.

Londrigan said he’s honored to enter the Springfield Hall of Fame representing a sport that doesn’t get much attention in the Midwest.

"It gives me a lot of pride to be part of that group," he said. "Sailing is not always recognized. To represent sailing in that group, I'm proud and honored. There have been a lot of great athletes over the years." Londrigan added he’s happy that he can share the honor with his father. "He took a lot of interest in me and played a big part in my success," he said.



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