Alessandra Sensini has been inducted into the World Sailing Hall of Fame.
The Italian windsurfer is the most successful female Olympic sailor in history, with a total medal count of one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Throughout her career, Alessandra competed in three different windsurfing classes: Lechner A-390, Mistral, and RS:X.
Sensini was born in Grosseto, in 1970. She competed in five Olympic Games: Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), Beijing (2008), and London (2012). She was presented with a blue World Sailing logo pennant at the ISAF ceremony held in Sanya, China.
"I want to thank you all because it is an honor for me to be here today. Some years ago, I received the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award, and that was amazing for me. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is totally unexpected," said Sensini.
"I want to thank ISAF President Carlo Croce because after I stopped competing he brought me into the Italian Federation to support and promote Youth Sailing and the new generation. I hope that I will be able to inspire the new generation and pass on my knowledge in the sport of sailing."
The World Sailing Hall of Fame was created in 2007. Inductions are announced every three years, and the next induction will be in 2019.