The night of November 10 marked an important event in Torben Grael’s life as he was announced the winner of the 2009 ISAF Rolex Sailor of the Year Award at the Busan Yacht Club in Haeundae-Gu, South Korea after having being nominated five times. Torben Grael emerged a winner from amongst the talented nominees like Pascal Bidégorry (FRA), Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA), Paul Goodison (GBR) and Nathan Outteridge (AUS). The awards that are given each year are recognized as the highest honor for a sailor. The achievements were taken into account for a period beginning September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. The ceremony was filled with excitement as none could guess until the names were pulled out of the envelope as to who would win the prestigious award. The stories of achievement and commitment of all the nominees were told during the ceremony.

The 49 year old has mastered the Olympics, Offshore and Match Race sailing and has displayed his talent with consistent performance time and again. According to Torben Grael the three highlights of his long career have been winning the Olympic gold medals, the Louis Vuitton Cup and the latest addition of the Volvo Ocean Race. His achievements earned him the coveted Rolex Sailor of the Year award. The marble and silver trophy was presented to him by HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark along with Lionel Schurch of Rolex SA. In addition to the honor bestowed by the trophy Torben Grael was also awarded a Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece. Rolex recognizes as well as rewards the best in the world of sports. The winners of Rolex events are determined by a series of competitions that bring together the best talent of the world.

Torben Grael earned the nickname of “Turbine” for his nautical achievements that include five Olympic medals, multiple world championships along with the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000. Torben Grael was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and most recently added the achievement of winning the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race. At his second Volvo Ocean Race Torben Grael skippered his Ericsson 4 team to a podium finish in eight out of ten total legs in the race. Of all the seven offshore scoring gates the Ericsson 4 team was in the top three and also finished on the podium for three of the seven in-port races that accumulated them a final 84% of the total points available. Torben Grael and his team entered the record books for setting the 24-hour Monohull World Record by sailing a phenomenal 596.6 nm at an average speed of 24.85 knots during the race on October 29. The Ericsoon 4 team was the undisputed winner of the Volvo Ocean Race after sailing 40,000 nautical miles and crossing the finishing line with a nine-point lead.

Torben Grael also has the achievement of establishing the Instituto Rumo Náutico with his brothers Lars and Axel Grael outside of racing. The institute in Brazil is also known as “The Grael Project”. The program is designed to offer underprivileged children social and educational opportunities through nautical experiences, while expanding their access to sailing, rowing and canoeing, and promoting the maritime culture amongst the youth. His immediate plan for the future include performing in Star Worlds in Rio de Janeiro where he has been sailing for long.

Tags: 2009 ISAF Rolex Sailor Of The Year Award, Rolex, Rolex Sailor of the Year Award, Torben Grael

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