Local New Jersey Olympic hopeful, Clay Johnson

It is always exciting when someone from your state, city or town goes to the Olympics. Even though we usually root for athletes from our country, there is something personal about a person who lives near you. I live in New Jersey with my family, and we are excited for Clay Johnson, an Olympic hopeful in sailing the Olympic Laser class (men's one person dinghy) for the 2012 Olympic games.

27-year-old Clay Johnson grew up in Toms River, New Jersey and has been sailing since the age of five when his father first taught him how to sail. Clay was a born sailer, his dad even crafted the first boat Clay sailed on, and continued on to success. At 16 years old, and still in high school, Johnson was the youngest person to compete in the Olympic Trials where he came in 19th place.

Johnson went to Harvard college in 2003. He decided to take some time off from the Laser circuit so he could be a part of the college sailing team. He made a lot of progress for himself, as well as the college team, in his four years sailing for Harvard. He is the only person to have won the New England Interscholastic Sailing Association Singlehanded Championships four times. He was also an "All-American" his last three years at Harvard and graduated in 2007.

In 2008, Johnson who worked as a commodities trader in Connecticut, decided to leave his job and give the Olympics another try. Committing to sailing full time was a tough decision, but one Johnson needed to do if he wanted(s) to make the Olympics.

Johnson is busy practicing and entering events such as the Laser North Americans at Branch Beach championships later this month and The Royal Cork Yacht Club Inviational Cup in September.

You can check out Clay's prorgress at his website. There are pages with his news (written by him) as well as pages with videos, merchandise, photos and more. CLAY JOHNSON WEBSITE

To contribute to Johnson's Olympic campaign (because it ain't a cheap road there): CONTRIBUTE