Kaklamanakis cheered as 'Man of the Sea' 2004.

(From Lloyds List)

Nikolaos Kaklamanakis capped a remarkable career as an authentic Greek sporting idol only a few weeks before his gracious acceptance of the Lloyd's List Man of the Sea Award at the first Greek Shipping Awards.

Now 36, the champion windsurfer was in the breakthrough group of athletes that refamiliarised his country with Olympic success by winning gold in the 'Mistral' sailing class at the Atlanta Games of 1996.

It was no fluke. He was No 1 in ISAF world rankings in the men's Mistral class in both 1995 and 1996 and has held a string of other major international titles.

Although he did not quite match his gold in Atlanta at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Mr Kaklamanakis' performance at the end of a gruelling week's competition was among the most stirring of his career and a testimony to an indomitable spirit, as he came from nowhere after the last turn of the course to pass some 10 other rivals and claim the silver medal.

Other achievements include crossing the Aegean Sea singlehandedly on his sailboard in 1997, a feat of endurance that took two days to complete the 200-mile journey.

Born on Andros island, Mr Kaklamanakis began sailing at the age of 13 and has inspired a new generation of Greek sailors and windsurfers.