NEWS

July 2, 2009

Victory for Robert Patenaude and Cancer Research

 

The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of Université de Montréal is proud to announce that its advocate, Doctor Robert Patenaude, finished first in the PHRF1 category of the prestigious Bermuda One-Two sailing event. Robert Patenaude becomes the first Canadian to win this world-renowned competition.

On board his sailboat Persévérance a C&C 41, Doctor Patenaude faced the worst meteorologic conditions of his career as a captain: countless storms, violent winds, breaking waves and intense fog. “All skippers agree that this was the most challenging race since the inception of the Bermuda One-Two 32 years ago,” says Robert Patenaude from Newport, Rhode Island.

In addition to the bad weather, Doctor Patenaude’s sailboat hit a whale during the single-handed leg of the race, smashing the rudder to pieces. Despite the numerous obstacles he encountered, Doctor Patenaude never wavered. “I will always have fond memories of this race. The main lesson I take away? Never give up, even if it seems like the entire world is against you.”

Doctor Patenaude, a cancer survivor, competed in the Bermuda One-Two sailing event to raise funds for cancer research at IRIC. The Perseverance campaign generated $177,605 in donations that will be invested in IRIC’s graduate student research training programme.

Information
Carolyne Lord
Media Relations Officer
IRIC | Université de Montréal
514.343.7282
carolyne.lord@umontreal.ca

 

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