Ajay Rau and a sailor's Olympic dream

Sailing which is becoming a popular sport in Chennai has been ‘bobbing up’ a few young talents, one of whom is Ajay Rau.

Ajay failed to qualify for the Asian Games in China to be held soon, failing in the selection event in the recent 2010 Laser World Championships. He finished as low as 156th in the senior world titles event. His commitment to studies came in the way preventing Ajay from attending the national camps and Asian Games selection trials.

But Ajay Rau ‘s dreams have not drowned, as it were. He believes that he can qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games. What’s more he has made a positive beginning to make his dream come true. His match racing team has finished with a bronze medal at the 2010 New University Match Racing Regatta recently and won another bronze medal for Team Racing at the Australian University Games.

If he gets a possible sponsorship, Ajay will be coached by four time Olympian Allan Julie, who believes that the Chennai lad has it in him to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games. The training will be for the next one and a half years.

Ajay will also be participating in the 2010 Perth International Regatta, a warm-up event for the 2011 world championships and Olympic qualifiers. Ajay says he has found renewed focus and determination to realize his dream.