Sailing a Dream

When I caught up with Clearwater's Olympic champion, Zach Railey, my spirits immediately soared! The familiar 'fwup, fwup' sound of wind on sail made communication erratic. At that very moment, he was out on the water "sail-testing."

Currently based in Miami, he's there preparing for the first stop of his 2010 world tour of sailing competitions.

Born and raised right here in Clearwater, Zach has always loved sailing, beginning in an Optimist Pram, sailboat at the age of 8. By age 24, against the odds, he had captured the 2008 Olympic silver medal. A replica of the medal is displayed at the Clearwater Yacht Club, where it all began. Subsequently, he received U. S. Sailing's 2008 Sportsman of the Year award.

This athlete's time is divided between practicing, fitness training, competing, and fund-raising. To keep fit, his rigorous workout schedule includes days of cardio training: swimming, biking, and running, alternating with days of sailing. Depending on workouts and peak events, his activities dictate when, and what, he eats. His rather scientific diet is monitored by a nutritionist provided by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

In addition to his demanding athletic schedule, Zach must raise half of the $150,000 required each year to maintain it. To meet this goal, he relies on continual support from the Clearwater Community Sailing Association and the Clearwater Yacht Club, as well as his family and friends. Official corporate sponsors include Speery-Topsider, Corro-Metrics, and Sunsail.

Zach sails a Finn, a single-person craft, one of ten Olympic-class boats. His favorite place to sail is a beautiful, serene location at the foot of the alps, LagodiGarda, Italy. He illuminates, "The great wind there is due to the temperature differential between the mountains and the lake."

Toward the end of February, locals may catch a glimpse of our sailor training out of his home place, the Clearwater Community Sailing Center. In late January, Sunsail, a world-wide yacht chartering company, will begin offering bookings for an October week-long sailing tour with Zach, in the British Virgin Islands.

Amazingly, Zach isn't the only Olympic competitor in the family. His sister, Paige, took second in the U. S. trials in the Laser Radial class. While the family has long-hoped for the pair to go together to the 2012 Olympics, in London, obstacles remain. First, both must triumph in the national 2011competition. Their mother, Ann Railey, explained that it could be a single regatta, or it may be more. Unlike other disciplines that allow alternates or qualifying-team entries, only the top-ranked sailor in each class will represent America on the Olympic team.

For those seeking to follow in his footsteps, Zach shares this advice, "They must be goal-oriented, not allow other things to interfere, and stay focused." He invites those interested in following or supporting his journey to check out his website, www.zach2012.com. Watch, as he sails toward the dream.



(clearwatergazette.com)