‘Graels’ aim to rule Oly waves

Two brothers coached by dad

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 28, (AFP): Olympic teammates are bound to get close to each other. But imagine competing alongside your brother — and being coached by dad.

That’s how it is at the Rio Olympics for Brazilian sailor Martine Grael. The 49erFX class star’s brother Marco sails a 49er, while their father Torben is chief coach.

If a family outing that involves competing against the world’s best athletes in front of a global television audience sounds stressful, this sailing royal family sees things differently.

“I think it’s really cool to compete alongside my brother,” Martine, 25, told AFP at a scenic Rio fort and military base hosting part of the Brazilian Olympic squad. “We’re sailing at different times, so we’ll be able to exchange information and help each other out.”

Torben Grael, 56, is a Brazilian legend, with five Olympic sailing medals. But this is his first go as coach, while his children will be making their Olympic debuts.

“It’s my first time and my children are taking part, so it’s like competing for the first time,” he said, without admitting to actual nerves. “You need to be very focused.”

“This is different, but ever since they decided to go sailing and racing

Cypriot sailor and Olympics medallist Pavlos Kontides trains on his Laser Standard boat near the coastal city of Limassol on May 24, 2016. At the 2012 London Olympics, Kontides became the only Cypriot ever to win a medal in the modern Games and this year the 26-year-old Cypriot has a single obsession: winning gold

in Rio. (AFP)

been used by Denmark’s silver medal-winning Olympic team in 1912 and the family became “passionate about sailing in Guanabara Bay,” Torben says.

Two of Torben’s uncles represented Brazil in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, passing on the passion to the next generation.

In the same way, Marco and Martine went to sea as toddlers and began competing seriously at about the age of 11 in Optimists.

“Like any family, our parents wanted their children to follow in their footsteps, but they were always clear that I could do what I wanted,” Marco said.

“I always loved sailing from an early age. I lived by the water and I always had that contact with the sea.”

Torben says their sport is so complex that his children have benefitted simply from growing up among sailors. “There’s technical knowledge that you pass on,” he said.

But what’s it like when your father is also your boss?

The Graels are careful to avoid any suggestion of special treatment between family members.

“You don’t want him to show any favorable decisions making it look like he’s helping you,” Marco said.