Harry Adler took up sailing at a young age and was already competing at the national level in his teens. He began representing Brazil in the World Championships in the 1950s and continued through the 1970s, usually with his long-term sailing partner Luiz Ramos. Together they won a bronze medal at the 1963 Pan American Games and were selected to represent their country at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where they placed 11th. Adler also competed in the Soling class, taking bronze at the South American Championships in 1974, and served as a sailing judge for two decades. His sons Daniel and Alan were also successful sport sailors and competed at three editions of the Olympics: 1984, 1988, and 1992.
Brazil