Robert Scheidt

Robert Scheidt is a Brazilian sailor widely regarded as one of the most successful competitors in modern sailing history, with multiple Olympic medals and world championships across the Laser and Star classes. Born in São Paulo and raised in Niterói, he emerged from Brazilian youth sailing programs to become a dominant figure at events such as the Olympic Games, World Sailing Championships, and the Star World Championship. Scheidt's career intersects with major figures and institutions including Torben Grael, Sérgio Souza, International Olympic Committee, and World Sailing.

Early life and background

Scheidt was born in São Paulo and grew up in Niterói, where he began sailing on Guanabara Bay influenced by local clubs like the Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro and the Yacht Club scene that produced sailors such as Torben Grael and Robertson. He trained in youth classes affiliated with the Confederação Brasileira de Vela (CBVela), receiving mentorship from coaches linked to the Brazilian Olympic Committee network and participating in regattas organized by the Interclubs circuit and the South American Games youth pathway. Early exposure to international regattas brought him into contact with competitors from the United States fleet, the United Kingdom squad, the Australia team, and clubs associated with the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Sailing career

Scheidt's sailing career began in one-design dinghies and progressed to elite international competition in the Laser class, where he faced rivals from the United States, Denmark, France, New Zealand, and Australia. He secured multiple titles at events sanctioned by World Sailing and the International Sailing Federation circuit, racing in venues such as Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Marina da Glória, Hyères and Sydney Harbour. Scheidt later transitioned to the Star class, partnering with helmsmen and tacticians from teams linked to the Brazilian Sailing Team, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and American campaigns at the Star World Championship. Throughout his career he collaborated with coaches and performance staff associated with institutions like the International Olympic Committee development programs and national training centers in Italy and Spain.

Olympic achievements

Scheidt is a multiple Olympic medalist with podium finishes across five Summer Olympic Games editions, competing in venues such as Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. He won gold medals in the Laser class at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, where he competed against sailors from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. He added silver medals in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 in the Laser and Star events respectively, contesting fleets that included champions from Spain, Norway, Finland, and Greece. At London 2012 Scheidt earned a silver in the Star class alongside Bruno Prada, racing on the same Olympic stage as teams from United States, Germany, France, and Italy.

World and international competitions

Beyond the Olympic Games, Scheidt claimed numerous world titles at the Laser World Championship and the Star World Championship, facing rivals from powerhouse sailing nations including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. He won multiple editions of regattas on the World Sailing calendar such as the ISAF Sailing World Championships, Sailing World Cup events, and continental championships organized by the Pan American Sports Organization and the South American Sailing Confederation. Scheidt also represented Brazil at multi-sport events like the Pan American Games and the South American Games, competing against athletes from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Mexico while engaging with professional circuits that included campaigns from the Royal Yacht Squadron and the New York Yacht Club.

Coaching and post-competitive career

After peak competition years Scheidt became involved with coaching, mentorship, and administrative roles tied to the Confederação Brasileira de Vela (CBVela), the Brazilian Olympic Committee, and international development programs run by World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee Olympic Solidarity initiative. He has worked with emerging athletes from Brazil, mentoring sailors who compete in the Laser, Finn, and 470 classes and liaising with training centers in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Scheidt's legacy influences national squads and private campaigns linked to the Star Sailors League and professional regattas hosted by organizations such as the Royal Yachting Association and continental federations across South America and Europe.

Category:Brazilian sailors Category:Olympic sailors of Brazil Category:Olympic medalists in sailing