Zane Yoder

Zane Yoder grew up sailing in a baby seat in an O'day Widgeon. At the age of seven, he began racing Sunfish. Once he was hooked, he started racing various boats in the Gulf Yachting Association. His primary focus was one design, but he raced lots of PHRF as well. "My father was an avid racer and he owned and raced lots of different boats, which allowed me to learn from him and some of the best the south had to offer."

Zane's love for the sport grew as he embarked on some major sailing adventures. "I sailed on a Bargue rigged tallship around the world, which included Cape Horn at age 16." Shortly after, he became a member of Team LYRA, a dominant youth racing program. Joining the youth team lead him to become a top Laser sailor and earn a bid for the 1996 Olympics.

Not long after the 96 trials he shifted his focus to 35-75ft boats. He sailed and managed boats for the next 15 years. He raced everything from Melges 24 to Andrews 73 and everything in between. In any given year he would race on 20 different boats. "This made being specialized in any boat difficult, but made me a much better all around sailor." Zane has also been a sailing coach for most of his life, coaching several athletes that have gone on to win College sailor of the year, and US Sailing Team Honors.

Career highlights

• SORC Overall winner
• Key West Overall winner
• Heineken Cup Regatta Overall winner
• Sunfish Midwinter Champ
• F/S Jr NA Champ
• Top 10 in over 30 Nat Champs Sunfish,Laser2, Laser, F/S ,M24, Rhodes 19,J24,J22
• O'day Finals 2nd
• Mallory Finals 2nd
• 94-96 US Sailing Team