 |
|
|
|
|
|
Foerster, Paul
- Four-time Olympian
- 2004 Olympic gold medalist (470 class)
- Two-time Olympic silver medalist (2000-470 class, 1992-Flying Dutchman class); finished 11th (1988-Flying Dutchman class)
- 1995 J/24 Pan American gold medalist
- Did not participate in a sailing program before college and entered the University of Texas sailing team as an unknown; left as a three-time All-American and competed in first Olympics a year after graduating
- 1991-92 Flying Dutchman World Champion, 1990 J/24 National Champion
- Ran track and played baseball and basketball in high school, dreaming of the Olympics as a basketball player (but he is 5 feet, 8 inches tall)
- Learned sailboat racing from J/24 class champion Bill Allen
- Missed 1996 Olympics when the Flying Dutchman class was dropped, so moved to the 470 class and won Olympic Silver Medal in 2000
- Mechanical Design Engineer for Raytheon
After the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with no plans to sail again, it appeared that it was time for career and family until he got a call from Kevin Burnham. The team of veterans, who had been out of the 470 a few years, initially were surprised at how well they did against teams who had been sailing and training full time. They went on to dominate the 2004 Olympic Trials, securing the victory with three races left.
Paul’s first child, Luke, was born three days before the 2004 Olympic Trials (in fall 2003). He traveled back and forth between the Trials in Houston and his home in Dallas to be with his wife, Carrie, and son. Asked if it was hard to concentrate on the regatta and the baby, Foerster replied, "Well, Kevin reminded me when I needed to concentrate on sailing, and when I was with my family I didn't think about sailing at all. It was perfect."
|
Born: 19-Nov-63
Hometown: Rockwall, TX
Sport: Sailing
Event: 470 Men, Skipper
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Enter your e-mail;
get free U.S. Olympic Team News
|
|
|
|
|
