Keith Grogono

Keith Grogono was a doctor who graduated from the University of London in 1935. The following year, he competed in the 2-man Star Class at the Berlin Olympics with William Welply. They held third place for much of the first half of the regatta but slipped to fourth place overall. Grogono only took up sailing while convalescing after acute mastoiditis spread to his elbow and he could hardly straighten it. Before the Olympics, he sailed for the London Hospital, where he held a position as surgeon, before leaving to go into private practice with his father.

At the outbreak of World War II, his elbow prevented Grogono signing up for active service. Because he had an Italian-sounding surname, however, and drove a German car, people believed that he was an immigrant refusing to fight, so he changed his surname to Keith. Then, in 1944, he legally changed his name to Keith Leslie Keith by deed poll.

In the winter months, Grogono enjoyed figure skating and skiing, but his first love always remained sailing and, after moving to Sussex, he joined the Littlehampton Sailing Club but, as they would not allow women or children into the club, he resigned to form the Arun Yacht Club in 1956. He was the club’s first commodore, and later president, while wife Molly was on the committee. He continued to race in the Ajax Class, with some of his children and grandchildren as crew members.