Eight Bells: Axel Schmidt

Axel Schmidt, a historic Brazilian sailor from Rio de Janeiro, passed away on June 10. He was 79 years.

His history is mixed with the history of Brazilian sailing. Son of the Danish Preben Schmidt, Axel started sailing Hagen Sharpie built by his father at their club. Then he joined his twin brother Erik in Snipes, going on to win the first world championship of Brazilian sailing in New York (1961), Bendor, France (1963) and Canary Island (1965).

Axel also was Gold and Silver Medalists at the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games in the Lightning class. He participated in the Olympic Games of Mexico 1968 and Munich in 1972, and was uncle to Torben and Lars Grael who would both have great international success.

“When I started sailing, Axel had already stopped racing,” noted Ricardo Lobato. “However, he was a very active sailor up to his 79 years. He was always talking about sailing at Rio Yacht Club bar. His stories were very funny. He was also willing to teach newcomers to the Snipe Class like me. The sailing in Brazil is now a bit sadder.”

Source: Snipe Today