When Glen Dexter, Andreas Josenhans and Sandy MacMillan decided to pool their financial resources and purchase a boat 10 years ago, little did they realize they were launching an effort that would see them sail into world championship waters. Yet just four years later, with Olympic Games competition behind them, the trio captured the 1977 World Soling Crown at Hankoe, Norway. The following year, they would finish second in the world event. And, in 1978, they would again win the world title. But it was that championship performance in Norway, perhaps more than any other feat, that made Canadian yachting fans realize the quality of the Nova Scotia crew. The recognition they earned themselves culminated in 1981 when Dexter, the 28-year-old Haligonian and Lunenburgers Josenhans, 30, and MacMillan, 29, were inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in Toronto. Now they are having their names added to the growing list of Nova Scotians to be admitted to this province’s revitalized Hall of Fame. The Dexter-Josenhans-MacMillan union was a success story from the starting line.

They won provincial championships in 1974, 1975 and 1976, before competing in the ’76 Olympics at Kingston, Ontario. As well, they became Canadian champions in both 1975 and 1976. Through those years, the three Dalhousie University graduates trained hard and long in their bid to win an Olympic medal. While their objective fell short at Kingston with an eighth place finish overall, they still achieved something no other Nova Scotians had ever done-no sailors from this province had ever before made it so far in Olympic competition. It set the stage, too, for 1977. Their world championship off Norway resulted from what was described as “a majestic battle against the sea and fierce competition.” Beamed a happy Dexter: “We knew we had it won as soon as we crossed the finish line.”

In a short time, Glen, Andreas and Sandy accomplished much in addition to their provincial, national and world titles. In 1976, they were the first Maritime crew to win Olympic sailing trials. The same year, they were the youngest soling crew in the world at the ’76 Olympics. They have won six world championship races and one Olympic race event, more than anybody else to date. In 1978, they recorded the biggest margin of victory over competitors at a world championship-two minutes, 48 seconds, at Rio de Janiero. The resulting awards have been well merited. In 1977, they were give the Nova Scotia Award of Achievement. In 1980, they received the Sport Federation of Canada Award and the Moosehead Sports Award, as well as their induction into the Canadian Hall of Fame. Their election to the Nova Scotia Sport Heritage Centre Hall of Fame places them in company with many Nova Scotians who have excelled in many sports. That lofty plateau, among our athletic elite, has been well earned. In a very short time, Glen Dexter, Andreas Josenhans and Sandy MacMillan sailed a Hall of Fame course. They deserve our salute.

Bio courtesy of by Hugh Townsend