Let's make this birthday one to remember.

72 years old (Born on February 17, 1953)

Happy Birthday, Pertti Karppinen! You rowed your way into Olympic history with three consecutive gold medals in single sculls—1976, 1980, and 1984. Clearly, you mastered the art of gliding gracefully across water faster than most people can paddle a canoe.

Even today, your legendary rivalry with Peter-Michael Kolbe remains iconic. Rumor has it that lakes still whisper your name in awe whenever someone picks up an oar. May your birthday be filled with laughter and joy—and may you always stay afloat on life's waters as effortlessly as you did during those golden Olympic moments. Cheers to Finland's rowing legend!