Why You Should Never Stop Dreaming

Posted July 15, 2008, 9:03 pm in Water Sports by Growing Bolder


We all know that 41-year-old Dara Torres will be the oldest U.S. Olympic swimmer ever when she hits the water next month in Beijing. But she won't be the oldest member of this year's U.S. team. That honor goes to 58-year-old sailor John Dane.

Growing Bolder loves Dane's story because it's one of family and perseverance. It's an intergenerational dream-come-true that proves the power of belief. Here's the story in a nutshell: Dane's Olympic dream is older than his teammate who also happens to be his son-in-law.
As an 18-year-old in 1968, Dane finished second in the trials, losing to the eventual gold medalists. He unsuccessfully pursued a spot in the Olympics for 40 years competing in 7 different Olympic trials in 4 different classes. He finished fourth in 1972, third in 1976 and fourth in 1984. Any other athlete would let the dream die, but not Dane.

After his daughter married a sailor, he convinced his 30-year-old son-in-law Austin Sperry, that they had a chance to win the only Olympic spot in the Star Class. Last October, in a dramatic Olympic trials finale, Dane and Sperry defeated a deep field that included two-time Olympic gold medalist Mark Reynolds.

The pair says their opponents underestimated them because of Dane's age, but his experience and Sperry's athleticism proved to be a potent combination. Now they'll take on the world, entering the Olympic competition in Beijing as just the 17th ranked team in the field. Dane says he'll savor every moment. "At my age, it's my last chance and I am going to make the most of it and enjoy every moment." He'll have lots of company. His wife, seven children and a son-in-law and daughter-in-law will join him at the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing on August 8, 2008.

Dane races small boats but he builds big ones. He's President and CEO of Trinity Yachts. One of the largest yacht building companies in the world, Trinity manufacturers luxury boats that range in size from 72 feet to 300 feet in length. Sperry is one of his employees. Here's one of their yachts.


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