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Sport:     Yachting/Sailing   Community:     Kingston, ON   Languages:     English   Why the environment is important to me:     As a 16 Year Veteran of the Canadian Sailing Team, I have been using the air to power my body and my boat. I have travelled all over the World to compete in sailing competitions. I have seen terrible air and water pollution that has literally made me sick. The thing that has struck me most is how lucky we are in Canada to enjoy such a clean environment in terms of air and water quality. Although we can and must do a much better job of keeping our own environment healthier, my travels have given me a window into just how bad it can get. As Canadians we have a responsibility to be world leaders on environmental issues because we have more to lose than most. People from other countries see Canada as this big beautiful clean country. This reputation is largely an accident caused by having a huge land mass and very few people. If we continue on our present course it will be no accident when we destroy it. We must act now!   Why I'm a Clean Air Champion:     I think CAC is a terrific organization. I have always wanted to be involved in improving the environment. I already do many things in my personal life to reduce my impact on the environment but I always stop short of becoming an activist. CAC is an opportunity to get involved and use my background as an athlete to make a meaningful contribution to the environmental movement, surrounded by others with whom I have much in common.		View full size image

Career Highlights
	Introducing John Curtis:
		1989 was the year that things really started to happen for me. That year I made the National Sailing Team and won the Laser 2 World Championships. I was hooked. For the next 15 years I never gave up on the dream to qualify for the Olympics. Despite doing a whole bunch of other things including law school a few years of law practice, getting married, have children and getting divorced, I finally qualified for the Olympic Team in 2004. By that time it was no longer about just qualifying but actually getting a medal. Of course this did not happen but I have no regrets. Sport has taught me the value of perseverance and given me the confidence to know I can accomplish just about anything I set my mind to although there is always a price. I think age has given me some wisdom around deciding when the price is too high and made me more discriminating in the projects and activities I choose.
	Top performances:
		15th 2004 Olympic Games 17th 2004 Tornado World Championships 15th 1994 470 World Championships 1st 1989 Laser 2 World Championships
	Career and interests:
		law and mediation I am on the Board of Directors for Able Sail Kingston Learn To Sail Program Inc. , a community based sailing organization which provides sailing instruction for people with disabilities. I am on the Organizing Committee for the Minimus Sailing Team, a community based challenge to do the Mini Transat Race (France - Brazil singlehanded in a 21 ft sail boat) The skipper is Nathan Baron. wind-surfing, kite boarding, I14 dinghy racing, cross-country skiing, speed skating, cycling, running
	Contact:
		Send a message to John
	Visit John's web site:
	To learn more about John's sport, visit:
		www.sailing.org
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