Top 12 Greatest Sailing Players in Brazil

Matt Reynolds

Sailing is one of the most popular sports in Brazil and the country has produced some of the best sailing players in the world. Brazil has a long history of producing world-class sailing talent with a high level of success in the sport.

Some of the most accomplished sailing players in the country have won multiple world and Olympic titles, and are now considered some of the greatest sailors of all time.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the best sailing players in Brazil and their remarkable achievements in the sport.

1. Torben Grael

Torben Schmidt Grael is a Brazilian sailor with an impressive resume of accomplishments. He is one of the most famous sailors in Brazil and is also well-known in the international sailing community.

Grael has won numerous awards and medals throughout his sailing career, including two Olympic gold medals. In addition, he won the Star World Championship in 2000 and the Star European Championship in 2005.

Grael has also competed in the America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, and the Admiral’s Cup. He has represented Brazil in numerous international championships, and is recognized as one of the world’s best sailors.

Grael has been a member of the International Sailing Federation since 2003, and is the first Brazilian ever to become a member of the organization.

He is a true inspiration to the Brazilian sailing community, and his accomplishments will continue to be celebrated for many years to come.

2. Martine Grael

Martine Soffiatti Grael is a Brazilian sailor who competes in the 49er FX class, a type of sailboat designed for two people. She is well-known for her impressive accomplishments in sailing, having won two major titles in the 49er FX class.

In 2014, Martine and her partner Kahena Kunze won the 49er FX class at the ISAF Sailing World Championships, and then went on to make history by winning the gold medal in the same class at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Then, in 2020, they won the gold medal in the same class at the Tokyo Olympics, making them the first Brazilian team to win two gold medals in sailing at the Olympics. Martine and Kahena’s remarkable success has made them one of the most acclaimed sailing teams in the world.

3. Bruno Prada

Bruno Prada is a Brazilian sailor who started sailing when he was very young. He first sailed an Optimist, a small sailing dinghy, until he was 14 years old. Then, he moved to the Laser class, a single-handed dinghy, where he achieved great success.

He was both the Brazilian and South American Junior champion in this class and was ranked 7th in the Youth World Championship in 1989. His success in the Laser class makes him a highly respected sailor and competitor in the sailing world.

4. Lars Grael

Lars Schmidt Grael is a Brazilian politician and former professional sailor who has achieved great success in his career. He has earned two Olympic bronze medals in sailing, proving his skill and dedication to the sport.

His brother, Torben Grael, is also a professional sailor and they together won the 1983 Snipe World Championship. In addition to his brothers’ success in sailing, Lars’ brother, Axel Grael, is the current mayor of Niterói.

This family of highly successful brothers have accomplished many great feats, proving their dedication to their respective fields.

5. Samuel Albrecht

Samuel Albrecht is a Brazilian sailor who has been chosen to represent the country in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He is an experienced sailor who specializes in two-person dinghy and mixed multihull classes.

He achieved a seventeenth-place finish in the 470 regatta at the 2008 Summer Olympics, competing alongside his partner Fabio Pillar. Albrecht has been sailing since an early age and has a wealth of experience across a range of sailing classes.

His experience and skill have earned him a place on the Brazilian sailing team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. At the Olympics, he competed in the 470 regatta, a two-person dinghy sailing event, alongside his partner Fabio Pillar.

Despite the high level of competition, the duo was able to finish in seventeenth place. Albrecht’s success at the 2008 Summer Olympics is a testament to his skill and determination as a sailor.

He has earned a place in Brazilian sailing history and will be remembered for his accomplishments on the world stage. His experience in two-person dinghy and mixed multihull classes has made him a valuable asset to the Brazilian sailing team.

6. Marcelo Ferreira

Marcelo Bastos Ferreria is a Brazilian sailor and Olympic champion. He is renowned for his accomplishments in the sailing world, having achieved two gold and one bronze medal in the Star Class.

In 1996, Ferreria joined forces with Torben Grael to win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Four years later, he won a bronze medal in the Star Class at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

Finally, Ferreria’s crowning achievement came in 2004 when he and Grael won gold in the Star Class at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Ferreria’s success in the sailing world is an impressive feat and a testament to his hard work and dedication.

His accomplishments have inspired many other sailors to strive for excellence.

7. Isabel Swan

Isabel Marques Swan is a celebrated Brazilian sailor. She has achieved great success in her career, and is one of the most decorated sailors in Brazil. In 2008, she won a bronze medal in the 470 class at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

This was a major accomplishment for her, as she was the first Brazilian female sailor to ever medal at the Olympics. Her success has inspired many people in Brazil, and her name is now synonymous with excellence in sailing.

Her story is one of determination and hard work, and she has become a role model for aspiring sailors everywhere.

8. Robert Scheidt

Robert Scheidt is an incredible athlete from Brazil. He is a professional sailor who has competed in five Olympic Games, and most recently won the Star Sailors League Final.

Over the span of his career, he has won an impressive total of two gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal. This makes him one of the most decorated sailors in the world. Robert Scheidt has spent his entire life dedicated to the sport of sailing.

At the age of eleven, he started competing in international competitions. Since then, he has gone on to become a world champion and Olympic medalist.

In addition to his Olympic medals, he has won numerous awards, including the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award in 2004 and the Star Sailors League Grand Prix title in 2019. Robert Scheidt’s accomplishments are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.

His Olympic medals symbolize his commitment to excellence and his willingness to push himself to the highest level. His achievements are an inspiration to young athletes around the world and prove that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.

9. Burkhard Cordes

Burkhard Cordes is a Brazilian sailor who achieved great success in his sport. He competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics in the Flying Dutchman Class, where he and his sailing partner Reinaldo Conrad won a bronze medal.

This was a momentous achievement for Cordes, as it is the highest honor a sailor can win in the Summer Olympics. Cordes’ success in sailing has made him a national celebrity in Brazil.

He is a symbol of excellence in the sport, and his accomplishments are a source of pride for the entire country. He continues to be a role model for aspiring sailors, inspiring them to achieve their dreams. Cordes has continued his involvement in sailing since the Olympics.

He has been a coach, mentor, and advisor to many sailors, and has helped to spread the knowledge and skills he has acquired throughout his career.

He has also been a vocal advocate for sailing as a sport and for the environment, often speaking out on the importance of protecting our oceans and marine life. Cordes’ legacy as a sailor and his accomplishments in the Olympics will never be forgotten.

His bronze medal is a reminder of his hard work and dedication to his sport, and serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to be the best in their chosen field.

10. Peter Ficker

Peter Ficker is an accomplished Brazilian sailor. He achieved success by winning a bronze medal in the Flying Dutchman Class with Reinaldo Conrad at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

This class of sailing competition is one of the oldest Olympic events and requires a great amount of skill and hard work. Ficker and Conrad competed against the thirty-two best sailing teams from around the world in the Flying Dutchman Class.

Their hard work and dedication ultimately paid off when they were awarded the bronze medal. Ficker and Conrad’s medal-winning performance was one of the highlights of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

It was a remarkable achievement for the Brazilian sailing team, and the duo’s success was celebrated by many. Ficker and Conrad’s win is still remembered today as one of the greatest Olympic sailing accomplishments in Brazilian history.

It was a remarkable feat that shows the power of determination and perseverance.

11. Henrique Pellicano

Henrique “Kiko” Pellicano is a Brazilian sailor who achieved a great success: he won the bronze medal in the Tornado Class at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, alongside Lars Grael.

Pellicano comes from a long line of sailors – his sister, Márcia, is an Olympic veteran who won a gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games. His success is a testament to his family’s long-standing legacy and commitment to the sport of sailing.

Pellicano’s performance at the 1996 Olympics was a remarkable accomplishment, and his dedication to the sport of sailing has certainly been rewarded.

12. Horacio Carabelli

Horacio Carabelli is a true renaissance man, combining two unique skill sets. He is an accomplished international sailor, having sailed around the world and competed in various sailing races.

His expertise in the sport is extensive, and he has even written several books on sailing technique and boat maintenance. In addition to his sailing abilities, Horacio Carabelli is also a highly skilled engineer.

He has a degree in engineering from a prestigious university and has worked in the field for many years. His engineering expertise has been utilized in several industries, from energy production to aerospace design.

He has developed several patented inventions and has been featured in several engineering journals. Horacio Carabelli is an inspiration to many people, showing that it is possible to combine two unique skills and excel in both.

His passion for sailing and engineering has led him to become a respected figure in both industries. He is a true example of how hard work and dedication can pay off.

Conclusion

Brazil has some of the best sailing players in the world, with many of them having achieved success at the highest level of international competition. They have won medals in the Olympics, world championships, and many other prestigious sailing competitions.

With the recent influx of experienced Brazilian sailors, it is likely that Brazil will continue to produce more top-level sailing athletes in the future.

Photo of author

Matt Reynolds

As a sports journalist and news reporter, my passion lies in covering Olympic sports and bringing the excitement of these events to readers around the world. With extensive experience in sports reporting, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and dynamics of various Olympic disciplines. My goal as a journalist is to provide accurate, insightful, and engaging coverage of Olympic sports. From capturing the triumphs and challenges of athletes to analyzing their performances and strategies, I strive to deliver comprehensive stories that resonate with sports enthusiasts. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, I aim to go beyond mere reporting by delving into the human stories behind the athletes. By highlighting their journeys, sacrifices, and aspirations, I seek to create meaningful connections between readers and the world of Olympic sports. Whether it's track and field, swimming, gymnastics, or any other Olympic sport, I am dedicated to delivering timely news updates, captivating features, and thought-provoking analysis. Through my writing, I aim to inspire readers with the incredible feats accomplished by athletes on the global stage. Join me on this exhilarating journey as we dive into the world of Olympic sports together. Let's celebrate athleticism at its finest while uncovering compelling stories that showcase both triumphs and tribulations. Together, we can experience firsthand the thrill of sporting excellence in all its glory through my dedicated coverage as a passionate sports journalist and news reporter specializing in Olympic sports.