Sailing to success

By Michelle Watson

Wil Cooney, an incoming freshman at Clear Lake High School, has been recognized for his sailing ability. Cooney was asked to participate in the 2014 X Class Blue Chip Regatta, an invitation only event that brings together 30 of the best X boat sailors in the Midwest. Wil was the only sailor asked to compete from Clear Lake and he was one of two in the state of Iowa.

 The Blue Chip Regatta was held Thursday and Friday, Aug. 7 and 8, at Big Cedar Lake Yacht Club, in Hartford, Wis.
 “I was extremely excited to be invited,” said Cooney. “It was an honor.”
 This is Wil’s second year sailing the X boat. Wil’s sister, Riley, who is 12, has been his crew this season. The pair qualified for the Blue Chip Regatta as a result of their performance at the 2014 ILYA X Boat Championships at Gull Lake, Minn., July 23-26.
 At the Blue Chip Regatta, Wil skippered his X boat to two top 10 finishes. On Thursday, he finished ninth in the second race and moved up to a fourth place finish during the third race of the regatta. Overall, the duo finished 13th out of the 30 boat fleet.
 Wil will have one more year of eligibility in this class before his sister will take over the helm. Wil is not looking to hang up the sail just yet, as he looks forward to moving up to the M17 class and continuing to compete in regattas.
 Sailing takes practice, just like any other sport. Wil and Riley hone their skills with practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Racers Class through the Clear Lake Yacht Club Sailing School.
Wil has been sailing since he was eight. He started his racing career three years ago by crewing for Maddie Hess, of Clear Lake. Wil also works at the Clear Lake Yacht Club Sailing School.
“My job is tipping the boats over, because I’m the only one that doesn’t mind getting in the water,” he said.
Wil named his sailing mentor, Jeff Nicholas, of Clear Lake, and his grandfather, Tom Thul, also of Clear Lake, as big influences in his sailing career.
“They both help me out and give me advice. Grandpa Tom loves sailing and he has missed only one of my regattas this year.”
Wil is the son of Shane and Kelly Cooney, of Clear Lake. He is looking forward to beginning high school in the fall, where he will be a drummer in the band and play hockey and golf.
When asked what he enjoys most about sailing, Wil replied, “winning.” He went on to say how sailing has taught him life lessons, such as sticking with something and not giving up, even when it gets hard.