The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011

race committee, safety boats and support personnel would have to be flawless.” With the addition of this regatta, CYC was definitely “on the map” in world-class one design race management. Each February, Laser Midwinters East continues to attract hundreds of sailors—including some of the world’s top young athletes. High winds and rough seas are an expected part of this race and appreciated by

Cassie Featherston sees the Laser Midwinters East fleet off in 2006. Photo by Amanda Fleming.

the competitors—though a bit tough on the Race Committee. The effort has paid off in a big way. Clearwater Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program graduates continue to “do CYC proud” across the country and around the world. In 2006, five graduates of the CYC Youth Sailing Program (Emily Billing, Brad Funk, Paige Railey, Kurt Taulbee, and Zach Railey) were selected by US Sailing to train for and compete in the trials for the 2008 Olympics. In that same year Paige Railey was named Rolex Female World Sailor of the Year. In 2008, Zach Railey won the Olympic Silver Medal in Beijing, China. In 2011, CYC has four Youth Sailing Program graduates (Paige Railey, Zach Railey, Brad Funk, and Brad Kendell) training hard for a seat at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Paige Railey pulls out ahead at the start of the Laser Midwinters East, 2008. Photo by Amanda Fleming.

82 The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011