Paul Henderson (sailor)

Paul Henderson

Awarded the ISAF lifetime achievement
Born Paul Franklin Henderson
November 17, 1934, (80)
Toronto,  Canada
Residence Toronto
Nationality Canadian
Other names The Pope of Sailing
Education Engineering Degree from the University of Toronto
Occupation Retired Businessman of "RG Henderson and Son"
Known for ISAF former president 1994-2004
Predecessor Peter Talberg
Successor Göran Petersson
Awards ISAF Beppe Croce 2005, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame - Builder Category 2001, Ontario Sports Award - 2001, Rolex Sailor of the Year - Canada 1994, Councilor of Honour - Canadian Yachting Association, Honorary Commodore, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, MAFSI Foodservice Hall of Honour - 2002, Honorary Member St James Town Sailing Club and the Mimico Cruising Club - Ambassador of the Vintage Yachting Games
Paul Henderson
Medal record
Sailing
Competitor for  Canada
Olympic Games

1964 Enoshima 12 th Flying Dutchman
1968 Acapulco 20 th Finn

World Championships
Gold 1959 International 14

Paul Franklin Henderson (17 November 1934), Toronto is a former president of the International Sailing Federation.

Sailing career

Living on Toronto Island around boats and sailing Paul learned the basics of the sport, as well as the values and importance of sport early in life. He become a very active competitor in sailing, winning medals at World, North American and National Championships. He has the record of having competed in all the Canadian Olympic Sailing Trials from 1948 to 1984. Paul has represented Canada at three Olympic Games: 1964 Enochima in the Flying Dutchman, 1968 Acapulco in the Finn and at the 1972 Schilksee as coach. He also qualified for the 1980 Olympics at Tallinn in the Star but Canada joined the Olympic Boycot against the Soviet Union.

Palmeres

Gold Medals

Silver Medal

Other Major Events

Sportmanagement

Paul helped found the Water Rat Sailing Club 1970 and the Outer Harbour Sailing Community, the Mooredale Sailing Club, the Outer Harbour Sailing and Catamaran Club, the St. Jamestown Sailing Club and the Hanlan Boat Club.

He was a member of the founding group that set up CORK (Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston)

The first time Paul represented Canada at the International Yacht Racing Union, was in 1970 to advise on the sailing venue for the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He stayed active for ISAF for over 30 years.

Paul Henderson dedicated five years as a volunteer in his leadership of the Toronto Olympic Bid, to host the 1996 Olympic Games and was also consulted to the 2008 Olympic bid and to the 2010 Vancouver bid.

Paul was elected President of the ISAF in 1994; the first non-European to ever hold this position.

He was on the IOC Sports and Environmental Commission and Women and Sport Commission. During his presidency sailing went from 18% women athletes in Atlanta 1996 to 35% in Athens 2004.

Positions held

Professional life

Paul ran very successfully RG Henderson and Son, a well-known Restaurant maintenance and repair company.

Personal life

Paul is married to Mary. They have two children John and Martha the later represented Canada in the 2008 Olympics as crew member on the Canadian Yngling.

References