Léon HUYBRECHTS

Léon Huybrechts was a four-time Olympian in 1908 and 1920-1928. Together with his brother Louis he won a silver medal in the 6 m class in 1908, and he repeated as silver medalist in 1920 with John Klotz and Charles Van Den Bussche as crew members.

During World War I Huybrechts lived in the Netherlands and was instrumental for propagation of the first standardized class of sailboats, called Scheldejol, which he co-designed. In 1924 he won the gold medal in the Monotype Class, which included Scheldejols. Four years later he placed ninth in this class. Influenced by the economic recession and a tax imposed on boats with a sail area exceeding 16 m², competitions with the Scheldejol were dropped in 1931. From 1922-56 Huybrechts was President of the Royal Yacht Club de Belgique.